Season 14 • Episode 1088

The HPV Vaccine, 20 Years Later

Aug 6, 2026

16:35

Cervical Cancer Global Health Public Health Vaccines & Immunization

Episode Description

About this episode:

In the two decades since the HPV vaccine was approved, women's risk of developing cervical cancer has dropped by 80% for those vaccinated before age 16 and 66% in those vaccinated after age 16. It has also lowered the risk of other HPV-related cancers in men. In this episode: Journalist Liz Szabo recounts the incredible successes of this intervention in preventing cancer and discusses the existing misinformation surrounding the vaccine, still considered by some to be too "new."

Guest:

Liz Szabo, MA, is an investigative health reporter with CIDRAP News.

Host:

Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.

Show links and related content:

20 Years of HPV Vaccine Success—CIDRAP News
Do I Need an HPV Vaccine?—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Preventing Cancer: The Far-Reaching Impact of Vaccines—International Vaccine Access Center

Transcript information:

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