Hong Kong HPV vaccine catch-up campaign ends next month, urge eligible women to get free jabs
Hong Kong's HPV vaccine catch-up programme ends on 31 December 2026. The Centre for Health Protection urges eligible female residents born 2004-2008 to complete free vaccination to prevent cervical cancer, noting over 74,000 doses have been administered.
Hong Kong's Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine catch-up programme will end on 31 December 2026, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has reminded eligible female residents. The CHP urged those who have received their first dose under the programme to complete the remaining doses, warning they would otherwise need to arrange and pay for vaccination themselves.
Dr Leong-kit Sze, Director of the CHP, said the vaccine effectively prevents potentially fatal cervical cancer. He noted that nearly two years since the programme's launch, over 74,000 vaccine doses had been administered. Eligible female residents born between 2004 and 2008 who have not completed HPV vaccination can receive two free doses, or three for those with weakened immune systems. For immunocompetent women, the recommended interval between doses is at least five months.
Eligible residents must first register for the 'e-Health' system before booking appointments via a website or phone hotline (2855 1333) at designated 'Joy Stations' or community health centres under the Primary Healthcare Service of the Health Bureau. Dr Sze thanked secondary schools and tertiary institutions for supporting the programme, which included information booths at universities and outreach teams visiting nursing colleges, disciplinary training schools, uniformed groups and related organisations.
Dr Sze addressed public misconceptions, saying some mistakenly believe HPV only infects those with multiple sexual partners or worry about side effects. He emphasised that the HPV vaccine has been used globally for years and is deemed safe and effective by the World Health Organization (WHO) and overseas health authorities. Research also shows vaccination does not lead to sexual activity or early sexual debut. He urged eligible women to seize the final opportunity to complete free vaccination before 31 December.
Cervical cancer ranks ninth among fatal cancers in Hong Kong women, with 160 deaths in 2024. Almost all cases are caused by persistent infection with high-risk HPV types. The vaccine offers over 90 per cent protection against high-risk types including HPV 16 and 18. The WHO recommends HPV vaccination for girls aged 9 to 14 before sexual debut, and catch-up for those aged 9 to 18. Since the 2019/20 school year, the CHP has vaccinated over 300,000 primary school girls under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, achieving a two-dose completion rate exceeding 90 per cent among 15-year-old girls—surpassing the 70 per cent interim target set in the Hong Kong Cancer Strategy and meeting the WHO global cervical cancer elimination goal of 90 per cent coverage by 2030.
