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 too since this was originally posted. Be sure to check out our most recent posts and browse the latest Just the Facts Topics for the latest.
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