Jiayao Lei, MBBS, PhD, highlights reduced vulvovaginal lesion risk from HPV vaccination

In a Contemporary OB/GYN video interview, Jiayao Lei, MBBS, PhD, assistant professor at Karolinska Institutet, discussed findings from a population-based study evaluating the impact of quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination on the risk of vulvovaginal lesions. The analysis included multiple birth cohorts that were eligible for different HPV vaccination programs, allowing investigators to compare outcomes based on vaccination timing and coverage.^1,2

Lei reported that individuals who received the quadrivalent HPV vaccine experienced a significant reduction in the risk of vulvar and vaginal lesions compared with unvaccinated individuals. The protective effect was most pronounced among those vaccinated at younger ages, particularly before the age of 17 years. These findings reinforce the importance of early vaccination, prior to potential HPV exposure, in maximizing clinical benefit.

The study expands existing evidence on HPV vaccine effectiveness beyond cervical disease. While prior research has clearly demonstrated reductions in cervical precancer and cervical cancer following HPV vaccination, HPV is also known to cause several non-cervical malignancies. Lei emphasized that the current findings add important evidence showing that vaccination is also associated with reduced risk of non-cervical HPV-related disease, including vulvovaginal lesions, which can be precursors to cancer.

Comparisons across birth cohorts highlighted the public health significance of vaccination delivery strategies. Cohorts that received the vaccine through school-based or routine vaccination programs, which achieved high coverage at younger ages, showed population-level reductions in the incidence of vulvovaginal lesions. According to Lei, these results underscore the importance of scaling up HPV vaccination coverage to achieve broader population-level protection, not just individual benefit.

Lei also addressed the role of clinicians in improving HPV vaccine uptake. Effective communication with patients was identified as a key factor, particularly discussions emphasizing the strong scientific evidence supporting the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. Clinical advocacy, Lei noted, plays an essential role in advancing cancer prevention efforts related to HPV.

In closing, Lei reiterated that HPV vaccination has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in reducing the risk of cervical cancer and now vulvar and vaginal lesions. Framing the HPV vaccine as a cancer-prevention tool, rather than solely a vaccine against infection, may help reinforce its value and encourage wider adoption across eligible populations.

No relevant disclosures.

References

1. HPV vaccine can protect against severe lesions of the vulva and vagina. Karolinska Institutet. December 18, 2025. Accessed January 2, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1110187
2. Deng Y, Wu S, Ask LS, et al. Quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine and high-grade vulvovaginal lesions. JAMA Oncol. 2025. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.5511