Researchers said the vaccine has reduced the risk of cervical cancer deaths before age 30 to effectively zero. Scientists said the findings provide the strongest evidence yet that the HPV vaccine is saving lives.

Credits: Unsplash; Author: CDC;

Introduced in the UK in 2008, the programme followed research linking certain HPV infections to cervical cancer. Around 200 deaths are estimated to have been prevented in England, with more expected as vaccinated generations age.

Researchers urged maintaining high vaccination rates, saying widespread uptake could further reduce cases and deaths as younger vaccinated generations continue reaching adulthood over the coming years.