Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Annalisa Merelli
Published on 2024-01-25 17:07:08
A groundbreaking new study from Scotland has demonstrated the significant real-world impact of vaccines against the human papillomavirus (HPV). The study revealed that there were no cases of cervical cancer discovered in women born between 1988-1996 who were fully vaccinated against HPV between the ages of 12 and 13.
Previous research has also shown the effectiveness of HPV vaccines in preventing cervical cancer. However, this study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, stands out as the first to observe a national group of women over an extended period and find no instances of cervical cancer.
Kathleen Schmeler, a gynecologic oncology professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, praised the study for its groundbreaking findings and emphasized the importance of increased HPV vaccination rates in the U.S. Comparing the vaccination rates between Scotland and the U.S., it is clear that there is still progress to be made in the U.S. to match the high coverage rates seen in Scotland.
The study highlighted the crucial timing of vaccination, indicating that women who were vaccinated before becoming sexually active experienced the most significant benefits. Authors of the study observed approximately 450,000 women, finding that those who were vaccinated before age 14 showed no cases of cervical cancer, regardless of whether they received one, two, or the full three-dose protocol. The study also noted that women who received the full vaccine between the ages of 14 and 22 benefited significantly, with significantly lower rates of cervical cancer compared to unvaccinated women.
Still, the study has its limitations, including the possibility of cervical cancers caused by strains of HPV not targeted by earlier vaccines. As a result, continued screenings for early detection of cervical cancers are necessary. Despite these limitations, the study emphasizes the effectiveness of HPV vaccines and provides support for the importance of widespread vaccination efforts.
The study’s findings also revealed that the impact of the vaccination was more significant among women of lower socioeconomic status and confirmed the effectiveness of cohort vaccination in creating herd immunity against HPV.
Overall, this groundbreaking study from Scotland sheds light on the remarkable effectiveness of HPV vaccines in preventing cervical cancer and underscores the importance of increasing vaccination rates, while also highlighting the need for continued monitoring and screenings.
Read the original article on Africa Health News
