Australia on Track to Eliminate Cervical Cancer Within a Decade

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, with 99% of cases caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). In 2006, Australia became the first country in the world to introduce a cervical cancer vaccine, marking 20 years to date. In addition to preventing cervical cancer, the vaccine also protects against throat, genital, and anal cancers.

Therefore, both men and women can benefit from vaccination. Australia was also the first country to fully fund an HPV vaccination program. Since 2007, girls and young women under 26 in Australia have been able to receive the vaccine for free, and since 2013, boys and young men have been included in the program.

Australia is expected to eliminate cervical cancer within the next decade. However, vaccination rates worldwide have dropped significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Australia is no exception: the HPV vaccination rate for girls by age 15 fell from 86.6% in 2020 to 78.

7%.