Human Papillomavirus Vaccination — Reasons for Caution

Despite great expectations and promising results of clinical trials, we still lack sufficient evidence of an effective vaccine against cervical cancer. Several strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer, and two vaccines directed against the currently most important oncogenic strains (i.e., the HPV-16 and HPV-18 serotypes) have been developed. That is the good news. The bad news is that the overall effect of the vaccines on cervical cancer remains unknown. As Kim and Goldie¹ point out in this issue of the Journal, the real impact of HPV vaccination on cervical cancer will not be observable for decades.Although . . .