HPV Vaccine Will Be Launched in Shanghai Soon!

Drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline(GSK) Plc said that the China Food and Drug Administration (C) has approved its human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine,Cervarix, for use in the country to help women fight cervical cancer.

GSK's China unit said in a statement Cervarix will be the first HPV vaccine licensed for use in the country and is expected to be launched there in the second half of 2017.

HPV Facts

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of viruses that are extremely common worldwide. There are more than 100 types of HPV, of which at least 13 are cancer-causing (also known as high risk type). HPV is mainly transmitted through sexual contact and most people are infected with HPV shortly after the onset of sexual activity.

Cervical cancer is by far the most common HPV-related disease. Nearly 95% of cervical cancer cases can be attributable to HPV infection. HPV types 16 and 18 cause an estimated 70% of cervical cancers.

CervarixCervarix is designed to prevent infection from HPV types 16 and 18, that cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases. These types also cause most HPV-induced genital and head and neck cancers. 

Cervarix also contains AS04, a proprietary adjuvant that has been found to boost the immune system response for a longer period of time.

Who should receive HPV vaccination?

HPV vaccination is recommended for 11 and 12 year-old girls and boys. It is also recommended for girls and women, boys and men age 13 through 26 years of age who have not yet been vaccinated ; HPV vaccine can also be given to girls and boys beginning at age 9 .

Boys and men ages 9 to 26 could also be protected against anal cancer and genital warts caused by HPV.

Will sexually active females benefit from the vaccine?

Ideally females should get the vaccine before they become sexually active and exposed to HPV. Females who are sexually active may also benefit from vaccination, but they may get less benefit. 

Few sexually active young women are infected with all HPV types prevented by the vaccines, so most young women could still get protection by getting vaccinated.

When the HPV vaccine(Cervarix) launches Shanghai market, Shanghai Renai Hospital will be among the first to provide the vaccine injection. For more details about HPV vaccine, please contact us or keep following us for the latest news.