China's first domestically produced vaccine against the cancerogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) will be available by appointment from May, making China the third country in the world to achieve an independent HPV vaccine supply after the U.S. and the UK.
The two-valent vaccine, jointly developed by Xiamen University and a Xiamen-based biotech company Innovax, marks progress by China in HPV vaccine production, considering the complexity in production techniques in genetic engineering vaccine and multiple-valent vaccine, an expert said.
The new vaccine is designed for use by females aged nine to 45 and protects them against HPV 16 and 18 types, the two most common viruses that lead to cervical cancer.
Prior to the new vaccine, HPV vaccines available in China were all imported ones, produced by a British pharmaceutical company, which makes a two-valent HPV vaccine and a U.S. drugmaker that produces a four-valent vaccine and a nine-valent HPV vaccine, according to a December notice published on the official website of the National Medical Products Administration.
The vaccines, especially the nine-valent one, have been in short supply in China, compared to the high demand.
Price?
The new vaccine is much cheaper with each dose priced at 329 yuan (about 46.5 US. dollars), compared to imported ones, while all three types of imported vaccines take three doses. The two-valent and four-valent vaccines at the center cost 585.5 yuan and 808.5 yuan per dose respectively, while the nine-valent one could reach over 1,300 yuan per dose.
Age and dose?
This national vaccine is available to women between the ages of 9 and 45.
Females aged 9 to 14 years receive two injections, one in the first month and one in the sixth month. Three injections over the age of 14, in the first, second and sixth months of life
book a vaccine appointment?
From May, Hubei, Xinjiang, Jilin, Yunnan, Jiangsu, Shandong and other provinces and autonomous regions, You can book a vaccine appointment at most of the community hospitals
source: xinhua,weibo
