Campaign advances interest in free HPV vaccine for girls
China is seeing increased parental interest in the HPV vaccine following a national policy shift that provides free two-dose vaccinations for eligible girls. Local health authorities are improving accessibility through school partnerships and flexible scheduling to boost immunization coverage.
Why it matters
Expanding access to preventative vaccines is a critical component of national efforts to reduce cervical cancer mortality rates.
Tao Guiping, a primary healthcare worker in Quzhou, Zhejiang province, has spoken with plenty of parents who remain hesitant about HPV vaccination for their children.
Some worry about how long the human papillomavirus vaccine's protection lasts, while others are unsure of the optimal age for receiving it. Recently, however, she has noticed a marked increase in family interest in the cancer-preventing vaccine.
"In the past, many parents seemed unwilling to listen, but now a growing number come in having clearly done some research beforehand and proactively seek our advice," said Tao, a senior nurse in the department of preventive medicine at the community health service center of Kecheng district's Baiyun street.
Last November, China announced that it would provide free two-dose bivalent HPV vaccinations nationwide for girls born on or after Nov 10, 2011, who have reached age 13, as part of the national immunization program.
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