Due to vaccination against HPV, fewer people are transmitting HPV to others. The spread of HPV is decreasing as a result. Research shows that HPV vaccination indirectly also protects unvaccinated women to some extent. This shows the importance of vaccination against HPV.
Research among unvaccinated women
Does HPV vaccination also lead to fewer HPV infections among women who did not get the HPV vaccination? This question was studied by researchers at RIVM, based on data gathered between 8 and 13 years after the start of the HPV vaccination programme.
Decrease in new infections
The study showed that the number of new infections with HPV types 16 and 45 among unvaccinated women has decreased. The drop was by about 70%. Since the introduction of the HPV vaccination, out of every 100 unvaccinated women who would have contracted an HPV type 16 or 45 infection, only 30 of them have now had an HPV infection involving one of these types.
Vaccinated women have more effective protection against HPV than unvaccinated women. Recent research showed that vaccinated women have also much better protection against cervical cancer and against serious precancerous abnormalities that could develop into cervical cancer (CIN3+).
HPV infection and effect of vaccination
A persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) can lead to cervical cancer and other forms of HPV-related cancer. Examples include cancer of the vagina, labia, anus, penis, mouth and throat. Studies show the vaccination against HPV offers around 95% protection against long-term HPV infections and around 90% protection against cervical cancer.