Recently, the National Health Commission held a press conference to introduce the promotion of accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer and answer questions from reporters. At the meeting, a reporter asked how effective the HPV vaccine is in preventing cervical cancer? Will getting vaccinated prevent further cervical cancer? Wei Lihui, Chief Physician of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Peking University People's Hospital, stated that the HPV vaccine can block the persistent infection of high-risk HPV types, thereby effectively reducing the incidence of cervical cancer lesions. There is a large amount of pre market clinical research and post market real-world clinical research data worldwide indicating that the existing five HPV vaccines have very high protective efficacy. Wei Lihui introduced that there are currently bivalent, quadrivalent, and nonavalent vaccines in China, among which bivalent vaccines can prevent HPV16 and 18 infections, which are the most important types of infections that are most likely to cause cervical cancer. There are also four valent and nine valent vaccines, all of which can effectively prevent more than 70% of cervical cancer, and also have a certain preventive effect on genital warts and related cancers of the vagina, anus, and perianal area. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, regardless of which vaccine is administered, it can effectively prevent cervical cancer, and for women who have never had sexual intercourse, that is, women who have never been infected with HPV, vaccination is the most effective Wei Lihui said. Wei Lihui gave an example that Sweden administered HPV vaccine to 1.7 million women aged 10 to 30 in their country from 2006 to 2017, and then followed up. It was found that girls under the age of 17 who received the vaccine reduced their incidence of cervical cancer by 88% when they grew up compared to unvaccinated girls. Women aged 17 to 30 reduced their incidence of cervical cancer by 53%, indicating that HPV vaccination can indeed effectively prevent cervical cancer. Wei Lihui said that given the excellent protective and preventive effects of all three types of HPV vaccines, eligible women can choose to receive them according to the variety of HPV vaccines available locally, their own economic ability, and personal preferences. Early vaccination can prevent the occurrence of cervical cancer. Since the HPV vaccine is a preventive vaccine and has no therapeutic effect, cervical cancer screening is also necessary after vaccination, as some types are not included in the vaccine, and there are also some severe cervical cancers that are not related to HPV infection. So, whether vaccinated or not, it is essential to regularly undergo cervical cancer screening Wei Lihui reminds. (New Society)