General · 18 June 2026
Zero cervical cancer deaths for vaccinated young women
This landmark research confirms the HPV vaccine has saved hundreds of lives in England since its 2008 rollout, practically eradicating early deaths. Between 2020 and 2024, no women aged 20 to 24 who had the jab died from cervical cancer, a first for any five-year period. Before the vaccine, about 23 deaths would have been expected in that age group, but uptake rates are now below target.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs