Entering into life-course immunization: Process, significance, and prospects of HPV vaccine inclusion into the national immunization program of China.

Abstract

China recently announced inclusion of HPV vaccine into the National Immunization Program for 13-year-old females, directly benefiting annual cohorts of 7-8 million girls. This commentary discusses the significance of HPV vaccine introduction in China and the prospects for life-course vaccination and global collaboration for cervical cancer elimination. Private-sector HPV vaccine availability over the past decade yielded low, inequitable, and off-target coverage, while program inclusion ensures equitable access, properly timed before sexual debut. We describe necessities of locally-obtained burden-of-disease evidence and ample, affordable domestic HPV vaccine, and show the value of five years of large-scale pilot introductions that gave government confidence in nationwide introduction. Government-backed policy counters vaccine hesitancy by reinforcing public trust, and China's strengthening vaccine R&D ecosystem and participation in WHO prequalification promote affordable global vaccine supply. HPV inclusion aligns with Immunization Agenda 2030 priorities on coverage, equity, life-course vaccination, and sustainable supply.