Not a death sentence anymore: Vaccination has reduced cervical cancer mortality rates.

According to a study published in the journal JAMA, mortality rates among young women have decreased by 62% over the past decade, largely attributed to the introduction of the vaccine in 2006. Dr. Ashish Deshmukh, one of the leaders of the research, emphasized that no other factors can account for such a significant decline in mortality.

HPV is responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer. Initially, the vaccine was designed for adolescents, but its effectiveness later extended to adults up to 45 years old. Previous studies indicated a reduction in HPV infection rates and cervical cancer incidence, but this research uniquely links the vaccine to a decrease in mortality rates. Focusing on women under 25, researchers assessed the early impact of the vaccine, noting that by 2021, those vaccinated in 2006 were young enough to avoid fatal cases of cervical cancer. Between 2019 and 2021, mortality dropped from historical averages of 50-60 cases to just 13.

Despite this success, vaccination rates remain below target levels. The national goal is to achieve 80% coverage among 13-15-year-olds by 2030; however, current CDC estimates show coverage at only about 60%. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a recent decline in HPV vaccination rates, raising concerns about a potential setback in efforts to reduce mortality.

In addition, a study by the World Health Organization highlights the broader global impact of HPV vaccines, estimating the potential prevention of over 60 million cases of cervical cancer in the coming decades if vaccination rates increase. This underscores the importance of public health initiatives aimed at increasing vaccination coverage to sustain the trend of reducing cervical cancer mortality.