Zero Cervical Cancer Cases in Early-Vaccinated Women

• A population-based study in Scotland found zero cervical cancer cases in women who were fully vaccinated with an HPV vaccine when they were 12-13 years old.

• The HPV immunisation programme began in Scotland in 2008.

• Women who were vaccinated with three doses of a bivalent HPV vaccine at 14 to 22 years of age had a significant reduction in cervical cancer incidence (3.2 cases per 100,000 population) compared to unvaccinated women.

• The study found that routine vaccination with a bivalent HPV vaccine when girls are 12 to 13 years of age is highly effective in preventing invasive cervical cancer.

• The authors argue that despite being vaccinated, all women still need to undergo screening for cervical cancer, albeit at a reduced frequency due to their lower risk of malignancy.

• The bivalent vaccine generates significant cross-protection against HPV-31, HPV-33, and HPV-45 in addition to the target types HPV-16 and HPV-18.

• The study also found a positive association between cervical cancer incidence in Scotland and deprivation.

• The reduced effectiveness of HPV vaccine in preventing cervical cancer is due to the need to immunise before girls become sexually active.