The study’s findings: 100 percent reduced death rate for cervical cancer
The study itself considered data from 2001 to 2024 in women from three age groups—20 to 24, 25 to 29, and 30 to 34. Since most from the youngest group had been vaccinated at age 12 or 13, this was the first group to have the most access to the vaccine. Older groups had different access, as some were offered the vaccine up to age 18, and chose to get it. In the 25 to 29 age group, there was a 100 percent decrease in deaths (to zero) as well, and for those with less access or awareness of the vaccine in the 30 to 34 group, a 63 percent decrease.
“The effect is huge,” says Sasieni. “We have reduced deaths from cancer of the cervix by at least 80 percent.”
Of course, since this was an observational study, he warns that in practical application, zero doesn’t mean there’s no chance of death. “I would not be surprised if there are one or two deaths in this age group when the data are available for 2025,” he says. “But the public health community set out to greatly reduce cancer of the cervix and deaths from cancer of the cervix, and they have achieved just that.”
“The reason for this stunning level of effectiveness is likely because the vaccine generates a very strong immune response which is durable, the vaccine is being given before exposure, and also because the 9-valent vaccine covers the types that cause over 90 percent of cervical cancers,” adds Andrea Tufano-Sugarman, gynecologic medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Commack, New York.
In addition to this study, an analysis released in May 2026 from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy found that HPV vaccines are effective and safe for patients, preventing pre-cancers and cervical cancer, along with potentially providing protection against additional HPV-related cancers. The worldwide analysis included 121 studies and suggests that even a single vaccine dose can protect against HPV infection.