A national prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme targeting girls aged 12–13 years has been running in England since 2008. In older sexually active females requesting vaccination, a frequent question is whether it is worthwhile to vaccinate women who have already been infected with HPV, especially those who have undergone treatment.

This study investigates the incidence of subsequent HPV-related genital disease in women treated for cervical disease or diagnosed with vulval or vaginal disease after vaccination. In the conclusion the authors state that the study confirms that:

(1) vaccination did not reduce progression …