The review of over 120 studies published since 2024 found no credible evidence linking HPV vaccination to serious adverse pregnancy outcomes or other long-term health risks.
According to a news release from the University of Minnesota, the university’s Vaccine Integrity Project announced a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed evidence for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, finding they remain safe and effective in preventing cervical cancer, precancerous lesions, and persistent HPV infection. Additionally, evidence continues to emerge supporting the potential efficacy of a single-dose regimen for women.1
The Vaccine Integrity Project, according to the University of Minnesota’s website, is an “initiative dedicated to providing trusted, science-based information for informed vaccine choices.” The initiative focuses on developing and disseminating the evidence base for immunization recommendations used for clinical consideration.2
This systematic review and meta-analysis of HPV vaccination safety and efficacy screened more than 5000 abstracts, leading to an evaluation of over 120 studies published between 2024 and 2026. These updated findings were then integrated with a pair of comprehensive 2025 Cochrane reviews, which were limited to vaccines approved in the US. Data that were more than 20 years old included cohort studies, randomized controlled trials, ecological studies, case-controlled studies, and immunogenicity analyses.1
With HPV, the primary cause of cervical cancer, being the most common sexually transmitted infection globally, robust evidence reviews are crucial to potentially shape future guidance and provide clinicians with the latest available data to best protect and advise patients.1,3
“As medical societies determine vaccine recommendations, this review provides the most up-to-date evaluation of the evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine,” said Angela Ulrich, PhD, MPH, research director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, in a statement.1
A primary focus of the review was the evaluation of vaccine safety. After examining randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies, the authors found no credible evidence linking HPV vaccination to serious adverse events. Specifically, the review found no association between the vaccine and neurological conditions, adverse pregnancy outcomes, or other long-term health risks.
One of the most significant aspects of the updated review is the pooled evidence regarding dosing schedules. The analysis suggests that a single dose of the HPV vaccine may offer protection comparable to 2- or 3-dose regimens for outcomes such as persistent infection and cervical precancers in female patients, at least through 5 years of follow-up.
Although additional doses generally result in higher antibody levels, the review found that a single dose generates a strong and durable immune response. Reducing the required number of doses is seen as a potential strategy to improve global vaccination coverage and access.
HPV-associated cancers account for tens of thousands of new diagnoses annually in the US, with distinct patterns observed across gender lines, according to December 2025 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.4
Each year, approximately 49,900 new cancer cases are identified in anatomical regions where HPV is frequently found, including 27,081 cases in female patients and 22,827 in male patients. Of these, HPV is directly responsible for about 39,300 cases.
HPV-associated cancers are defined as specific cellular types diagnosed in areas where the virus is commonly present, such as the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, and oropharynx. The most prevalent types include the following:
Researchers estimate the national burden of these diseases using cancer registry data. Because registries do not routinely test cancer tissue for the presence of the virus, estimates are based on anatomical locations and cell types that are most likely to be caused by HPV.
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