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China Expands Free HPV Shots to 13-Year-Olds
8 Jul
Summary
- Girls aged 13 will receive two doses of HPV vaccine for free.
- DTaP vaccine initiation moved to two months from three.
- New protocols aim to curb rising whooping cough infections.
China has released updated protocols for its national immunization program, enhancing protection for young girls and infants. Starting nationwide, 13-year-old girls will now receive two doses of the two-valent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine free of charge. This initiative aims to broaden coverage of the vaccine, which offers protection against genital warts and most forms of cervical cancer.
Furthermore, the immunization schedule for the diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine has been revised. Infants will now begin their DTaP vaccinations at two months of age, a change from the previous standard of three months. This adjustment is a proactive measure to strengthen infant immunization levels in response to a recent rise in whooping cough infections.
