HPV Vaccine: Early Shot Offers Lasting Protection Against Cervical Cancer

• A new study reveals the HPV vaccine significantly reduces cervical cancer risk, with protection lasting nearly two decades.
• The vaccine prevents cancer by targeting Human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can lead to various cancers if persistent.
• Early vaccination, ideally before age 17, offers the highest protection, reducing cervical cancer risk by four times compared to unvaccinated individuals.
• The study, following 926,362 girls and young women in Sweden, found no evidence of protection weakening over 18 years.
• HPV vaccination is recommended for both girls and boys in early adolescence to prevent HPV-related cancers and reduce virus spread.