A major Swedish study published on February 26, 2026, has demonstrated that the HPV vaccine provides protection against cervical cancer for at least 18 years. The research, which followed over 926,000 Swedish women born between 1985 and 2001, found that approximately one-third of the participants had been vaccinated against HPV.
According to reports from Swedish media outlets Aftonbladet and Svenska Dagbladet, the study revealed that 930 women developed invasive cervical cancer during the 18-year follow-up period, with only 97 of those cases occurring among vaccinated individuals. The research showed particularly strong protection for women who received the vaccine before age 17, who had nearly 80% lower risk of cervical cancer compared to unvaccinated women.
The study also indicated that protection does not diminish over time, regardless of when the vaccine was administered. Women who received the vaccine through school-based programs showed 72% lower cancer risk compared to those who had to seek vaccination independently. The findings provide significant evidence supporting the long-term effectiveness of HPV vaccination programs in Sweden.