A recently released government report bolsters the growing body of evidence that the HPV vaccine is playing a crucial role in reducing rates of cervical cancer in young women. Historically, this vaccine had been criticized by high-profile figures, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who once labeled it as hazardous.
Following a public pledge by Kennedy to allocate any revenue generated from litigation related to the HPV vaccine to a family member, the report’s timing is noteworthy. Back in 2019, Kennedy, representing the anti-vaccine organization Children’s Health Defense, described Gardasil as “the most dangerous vaccine ever invented” in a video.
The recent findings showcase a significant decline, approximately 80%, in the rates of precancerous lesions among women aged 20 to 24 who underwent cervical cancer screenings between 2008 and 2022. These statistics were unveiled in an announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a prevalent virus, primarily transmitted through sexual contact. Generally, HPV infections do not show symptoms and often resolve without intervention. However, in some cases, HPV can progress into cancer, accounting for about 37,000 cases annually, per CDC data.
Notably, women in their 20s represent the most vaccinated demographic concerning the HPV vaccine. Since 2006, the vaccine has been advised for girls around the ages of 11 or 12 in the U.S., with boys receiving similar guidance starting in 2011. Those who missed early vaccination windows are encouraged to receive catch-up shots up until age 26.
Jane Montealegre, from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, although not a participant in the study, described the reduction as striking, attributing it to the broader adoption of the HPV vaccine, which is both safe and potent. “This data should reassure parents that vaccinating their children against HPV is indeed the correct decision,” affirmed Montealegre, who specializes in cancer prevention.
Echoing these observations, various nations have similarly noted declining cervical precancer rates among younger, more extensively vaccinated populations. While the U.S. lacks a centralized registry for such data, it extrapolates national trends based on surveillance from five specific sites.
The financial connections of Kennedy to ongoing litigation against the HPV vaccine manufacturer have come under scrutiny, especially during confirmation hearings. Kennedy has informed lawmakers of having referred numerous clients to a law firm actively suing vaccine-producer Merck, in a setup where he could gain 10% of resulting contingency fees.
One of Kennedy’s sons, Conor, serves as an attorney at the involved law firm, WisnerBaum. In response to potential conflicts of interest, Kennedy has updated an ethics agreement stating any litigation-derived earnings related to the HPV vaccine will be redirected to “a nondependent adult family member.”
