The Claim:
For years, anti-vaxxers have claimed that there is no proof that HPV vaccination actually prevents cancer.
The Facts:
An important new study looked at the impact of HPV vaccination on cervical cancer in England. The vaccine was given to girls aged 12-13 years, starting in September 2008. They also had a catch-up program for girls aged 14-18 years from 2008 to 2010.
The study found that girls who received the vaccine at different ages had a reduced risk of cervical cancer and one pre-cancerous condition. The reduction in cervical cancer rates ranged from 34% to 87%, depending on the age at which the vaccine was given. For the pre-cancerous condition, the reduction ranged from 39% to 97%.
The vaccine has nearly eliminated cervical cancer in the UK in women born since September 1, 1995.
Disclaimer: Science is always evolving and our understanding of these topics may have evolved since this was originally posted. Browse the latest information posted in Just the Facts Topics.
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