BEIJING: China’s top drug regulator has expanded the use of an imported vaccine against nine strains of the cancer-causing human papillomavirus to girls as young as nine and adults up to age 45. While hailing the decision as part of China’s endeavor to accelerate elimination of cervical cancer, experts said that given the tight supply of the 9-valent vaccine and increasing evidence of the efficacy of homegrown vaccines, it is wise to receive any approved HPV vaccines available.
The National Medical Products Administration first granted authorization to Gardasil 9, a 9-valent HPV vaccine created by global pharmaceutical giant Merck, for use in females aged 16 to 26 in 2018. On Tuesday, the administration said that its use is now broadened to females aged 9 through 45.
Currently, three imported HPV vaccines and two domestic vaccines have been approved for use on the mainland. Gardasil 9 is the only one that can shield nine strains of HPV, while the others offer protection against either two or four strains. Qiao Youlin, a professor at the School of Population Medicine and Public Health at the Peking Union Medical College, said that HPV vaccines work best among teenage girls and those who have not had a sexual encounter, but sexually active women can still benefit from getting vaccinated.
–The Daily Mail-CGTN news exhange item
