China Announces National HPV Vaccination Program as Domestic Nine-Valent Vaccine Launches
Key Insights
China plans to include HPV vaccines in its national immunization program, with rollout services beginning this year for all eligible girls to protect women's health.
At least 17 provincial-level regions have announced free HPV vaccines for eligible girls aged 9-14, using domestically developed vaccines protecting against the two most common HPV strains.
China has launched its domestically developed nine-valent HPV vaccine in Xiamen, expanding cervical cancer protection for females aged 9-45 with 94% effectiveness in preventing infection.
China is set to expand its national immunization program to include human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, marking the first program expansion since 2007, according to Shen Hongbing, head of the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention and deputy director of the National Health Commission. The announcement comes as the country simultaneously launches its domestically developed nine-valent HPV vaccine, with the first dose administered Tuesday in Xiamen.
National Program Expansion Targets Cervical Cancer Prevention
Shen announced that China would roll out HPV vaccination services this year for all eligible girls, aimed at protecting women's health. The decision addresses the growing burden of cervical cancer, which ranks as the fifth most common cancer among women in China. Human papillomavirus infection is the leading cause of cervical cancer.
At least 17 provincial-level regions have already announced plans to provide free HPV vaccines to eligible girls, typically those between the ages of 9 and 14. These regional programs utilize domestically developed vaccines that protect against the two most common HPV strains.
The nation's free immunization program currently covers 14 vaccines that can protect against 15 diseases, making the HPV vaccine addition a significant milestone in public health policy.
Domestic Nine-Valent Vaccine Expands Protection
China's domestically developed nine-valent HPV vaccine has begun administration, expanding cervical cancer protection for females aged 9 to 45. Health authorities have established differentiated dosing schedules based on age: those aged between 9 and 17 will need two doses, while women 18 to 45 require three doses.
The vaccine demonstrates significant efficacy, with health authorities reporting that when administered correctly, the HPV vaccine is 94 percent effective in preventing infection.
Addressing Global Health Burden
Cervical cancer represents one of the most common cancers in women worldwide. HPV is linked to an estimated 700,000 cancer cases annually, including about 530,000 cervical cancers, with the remainder involving the anus, vulva, penis and other sites. Vaccination provides an important line of defense against these HPV-related malignancies.
The expansion of China's immunization program reflects increasing availability of affordable domestic vaccines and growing recognition of cervical cancer's public health impact. Calls to incorporate HPV vaccines into the national immunization program have grown stronger in recent years due to these factors.