CDC Reports 80% Drop in Cervical Precancer Rates Among Vaccinated Young Women

Findings highlight the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine in reducing precancerous lesions in women aged 20-24 over a 14-year period.

The CDC study found an approximately 80% reduction in cervical precancer rates among women aged 20-24 screened between 2008 and 2022, attributed to HPV vaccination efforts.
The HPV vaccine, first approved in 2006, is recommended for preteens aged 11-12, with catch-up doses for individuals up to age 26 who missed earlier vaccinations.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. and is responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer, which affects around 10,800 women annually in the country.
While the study did not directly link vaccination status to outcomes, researchers noted no other plausible explanations for the significant decline in precancer rates.
Experts cite the findings as reassurance for parents about the vaccine's safety and effectiveness, with global vaccination programs aiming to eliminate cervical cancer within the next century.