China will officially include the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in its national immunization program starting November 10, the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration announced on Thursday.
The move aims to reduce the burden of HPV-related diseases and strengthen public health protection. According to the circular issued by the administration, girls aged 13 will be eligible to receive two doses of the bivalent HPV vaccine free of charge, administered six months apart.
HPV is recognized as the primary cause of cervical cancer—a significant threat to women’s health. In recent years, cervical cancer incidence in China has been on the rise, with a concerning increase observed among younger women. This has made preventive strategies, particularly vaccination, more critical than ever.
Health experts emphasized that “vaccination remains the most effective and affordable way to prevent infection and lower the risk of cervical cancer and related diseases.”
Under China’s Vaccine Management Law, the national immunization program provides certain vaccines free of charge to residents. Research indicates that girls aged 9–14 develop more than double the antibody levels compared to those aged 15 and above after vaccination, with protection lasting up to 10 years. Based on these findings, the nationwide free vaccination campaign for 13-year-old girls is expected to offer a strong and lasting shield for women’s health.
Currently, both domestic and imported HPV vaccines are available in China. The country also administered its first homegrown nine-valent HPV vaccine in September. Clinical data suggest that HPV vaccines available in China can prevent over 70% of cervical cancer cases.