HPV jab ‘cuts risk of deadly infections’ by 86 per cent in young women carrying the deadly cancer virus
- Two infections decreased by 86% in women aged 16 to 21 who had vaccine
- Suggests programme could lead to ‘significant decreases’ in cervical cancer
- Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt may extend the programme to teenage boys
The human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine programme has led to a significant drop in young women carrying potentially life-threatening infections, a study has found.
The majority of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV types 16 and 18.
The two infections decreased by 86 per cent in women aged 16 to 21 who were eligible for the vaccine as teenagers from 2010 to 2016, according to Public Health England (PHE).
PHE said the results suggested the programme could also lead to ‘significant decreases’ in cervical cancer rates.
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Yesterday it was reported that Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt may extend the programme – currently free on the NHS to all girls aged 12 to 18 – to teenage boys. It is hoped the move would help tackle cancers in men caused by HPV
Two infections decreased by 86 per cent in women aged 16 to 21 who were eligible for the HPV vaccine as teenagers from 2010 to 2016, according to Public Health England (file photo)
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