Swedish Study Confirms HPV Vaccine Provides Lasting Protection Against Cervical Cancer

A comprehensive Swedish study has confirmed that the HPV vaccine offers long-lasting protection against invasive cervical cancer for at least 18 years. Researchers followed over 926,000 women born between 1985 and 2001, about one-third of whom were vaccinated against cervical cancer. Among 930 cases of invasive cervical cancer diagnosed, only 97 occurred in vaccinated women.

The data revealed that women vaccinated before the age of 17 experienced an almost 80% reduced risk of developing cervical cancer compared to those unvaccinated. Importantly, the protective effect did not diminish regardless of the age at vaccination. Those vaccinated through school programs demonstrated a 72% lower cancer risk compared to self-vaccinated individuals.

This nationwide registry-based study was conducted collaboratively by Karolinska Institutet, the Public Health Agency of Sweden, and Karolinska University Hospital. Funded by organizations including Forte, the Swedish Research Council, and the EU, the research was published in The BMJ on February 26, 2026.

Shiqiang Wu of Karolinska Institutet noted that the strong, sustained protection suggests booster doses are not currently necessary. The study also contributes ongoing investigations into the vaccine’s impact on other HPV-related cancers in both sexes. Researchers declared no conflicts of interest.

These findings provide reassuring evidence of the HPV vaccine’s long-term effectiveness in cancer prevention, underscoring its critical role in public health strategies against cervical cancer in Sweden.