Together, Lowy and Schiller co-authored one of the most significant discoveries in contemporary preventive medicine. For their contribution, they have received numerous international accolades, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, awarded by President Barack Obama in 2014.
Galligioni highlighted the vital role that the papillomavirus vaccine has come to play in prevention: “Every year, 690,000 cancer diagnoses worldwide are linked to HPV. Since its introduction twenty years ago, the vaccine has significantly reduced the incidence of these diseases in countries with high vaccination coverage.” The virus, transmitted through sexual contact, causes cancers of the cervix, oropharynx, anus, penis, vagina, and vulva.
