THE age range for getting HPV2 vaccine injections, which previously spanned from 9 to 25, now extends to 45, according to the latest review of the China Food and Drug Administration, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.

In other words, female residents from 25 to 45 years of age can now receive the HPV2 inoculation, making it the cervical cancer vaccine covering the widest age range on the Chinese mainland.

As to whether female residents should wait for the HPV4 and HPV9 vaccines, Xiao Qing, a doctor from the Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, said the effective difference between the three vaccines in the prevention of cervical cancer is not obvious. Therefore, it is not wise for residents to wait without reason.

Xiao said that girls from 9 to 15 years old who hadn’t engaged in sexual behavior before getting an HPV vaccine saw the best results. Meanwhile, the national guidelines for preventing cervical cancer also suggest that the key group for vaccination is girls from 13 to 15.

It has been reported that HPV9 vaccines may be available on the market this year, but the exact date has not yet been finalized.

HPV9 vaccines can prevent more types of HPV (human papilloma virus). The age range for receiving HPV9 vaccinations is 16 to 26 years old. (Zhang Yu)