{
  "id": 881430,
  "title": "What is HPV and how effective is the vaccine that protects against it?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/what-is-hpv-and-how-effective-is-the-vaccine-that-protects-against-it",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-14T14:54:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "UK Health Security Agency",
    "slug": "uk-health-security-agency",
    "url": "https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/08/14/what-is-hpv-and-how-effective-is-the-vaccine-that-protects-against-it/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent virus affecting multiple parts of the body, including the skin and mucous membranes. Most individuals contract HPV at some point in their lives, often without realizing it, as it typically clears up on its own. However, certain types of HPV can lead to serious cancers like cervical, anal, and oral cancers, as well as genital warts. HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact, primarily during sexual activity, and can be contracted without penetration or having had sex before. The HPV vaccine, Gardasil 9, is highly effective, protecting against nine strains of the virus, including those responsible for 75% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. Since its introduction, rates of cervical cancer and genital warts among young people have significantly decreased. For instance, there were no cervical cancer deaths among vaccinated women aged 20 to 24 between 2020 and 2024, marking a 100% reduction in mortality for this group. Despite the vaccine's success, uptake rates have declined recently, and there are disparities in vaccination coverage across different regions and populations. Therefore, it is crucial that everyone eligible receives the vaccine to ensure maximum protection. The vaccine is free for those in specific age groups and for some high-risk individuals. Side effects are usually mild, such as soreness at the injection site or temporary symptoms like a headache or fever. Serious side effects are rare. Overall, the HPV vaccine has been a monumental achievement in public health, greatly reducing the incidence of HPV-related cancers and warts.",
  "summary": "Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common viral infection. Here's what you need to know, including the remarkable story of how a vaccine is helping to eliminate some cancers caused by HPV entirely.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}