UTH

News

Blog: The Story Behind the HPV Vaccine

Published: March 20, 2025

For nearly 20 years, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has provided protection against HPV-related infections and cancers. However, despite being around for almost two decades, many people still have questions about the vaccine, especially regarding its history and safety. So, what is the story behind the HPV vaccine?

1951 – HeLa cells are collected becoming the first “immortal” cell line.

After experiencing worrying symptoms, Henrietta Lacks, a 30-year-old wife and mother of five, went to Johns Hopkins Hospital seeking a diagnosis and then cervical cancer treatment. George Gey, a cell biologist at the hospital, took a sample of her cells without her permission and discovered that Henrietta’s cells differed from others. While other cells could only survive for a few days, Henrietta’s were “immortal.” They lived longer and doubled almost every 24 hours. These cells are now famously known as HeLa cells, the oldest human cell line.  Without Henrietta and her cells, many scientific breakthroughs would not have been possible – including the discovery that HPV and cervical cancer are linked.

1983 – Scientists prove the link between HPV and cervical cancer.

For years, scientists believed that cervical cancer was caused by herpes simplex virus type-2, or HSV2. However, after testing cervical cancer tumor samples and not finding any traces of HSV2, Harald zur Hausen, a German virologist, began to think HPV was the cause instead. In 1983, zur Hausen proved his theory by identifying HPV 16 and HPV 18 DNA – two types of HPV now commonly associated with HPV-related cancers – in cervical tumors. This discovery definitively established the causal relationship between HPV and cervical cancer, paving the way for additional research and the development of the HPV vaccine.

1991 – HPV vaccine particles are created, leading to the development of the first HPV vaccine.

Ian Frazer and Jian Zhou, researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia, worked together to create non-infectious, non-cancerous “virus-like particles” that did not include any HPV DNA but still allowed the human body to recognize the infection and develop antibodies to fight against it. This research became the foundation of the HPV vaccine. Doug Lowy and John Schiller, researchers at the Center for Cancer Research, used similar “virus-like particles” to eventually make an HPV vaccine.

2002 – HPV vaccine trials prove that HPV16 vaccine is effective.

Epidemiologist Laura Koutsy spent years studying HPV and how it spread before serving as the lead investigator for the first HPV vaccine trials. The purpose of these trials was to demonstrate “proof-of-principle” and prove that the HPV vaccine could protect against HPV and reduce cancer risk. The trials ended successfully in 2002, proving the vaccine to be effective.

2006 – The Food and Drug Administration approves Gardasil 4 for girls.

The technology that utilized the “virus-like particles” was licensed to Merck & Co., a pharmaceutical company. After seven years of rigorous safety and efficacy testing, the Gardasil 4 vaccine was made available for public use. Gardasil 4 protected against four types of HPV, including HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18. In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Gardasil 4 for girls ages 9-26.

2009 – The FDA approves Gardasil 4 for boys and Cervarix hits the market.

In 2009, the FDA extended approval of Gardasil 4 to boys ages 9-26 for the prevention of genital warts and anal cancer.

In 2009, the FDA also approved Cervarix (a vaccine that protects against HPV 16 and 18). Although this vaccine is no longer offered in the United States due to the development of Gardasil 9, it is still administered in other countries across the globe.

2014 – A new and improved version of Gardasil is approved by the FDA.

Merck & Co. licensed a second version of Gardasil in 2014. Gardasil 9 protects against the same four types of HPV as Gardasil 4, as well as five additional HPV types. Gardasil 9 is the HPV vaccine currently being used in the United States and protects against HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.

2020 – The FDA approves Gardasil for uses beyond cervical cancer.

The Gardasil vaccine was originally created to combat cervical cancer, but in 2020, the FDA extended the approval of Gardasil 9 to prevent other HPV-related cancers. Gardasil 9 is now used as protection against anal, cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, oropharyngeal (back of the throat), and other head and neck cancers, as well as genital and laryngeal (throat) warts.  

Latest milestones and beyond:

In 2024, research findings showed that cervical cancer deaths have dropped dramatically – most likely because of the HPV vaccine. Health organizations around the world are now committing to eliminating cervical cancer within the next ten years. Thanks to the HPV vaccine, this is an attainable goal.

Health professionals recommend the HPV vaccine for boys and girls ages 9-12. Those who were not vaccinated at those ages can still complete the HPV vaccines series through age 26 (and up to age 45 in consultation with a medical provider). Contact the All for Them team to learn more about the HPV vaccine or find a free or low-cost vaccination clinic. Call us at 866-255-1811 or visit our website.

Follow us for more news, information, and updates on Facebook, Instagram, or X.

3.21.25 Story behind the HPV vaccine Timeline .png

LOADING...
LOADING...