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The case for semi-mandatory HPV vaccination in China

Nature Biotechnology volume 31, pages 590–591 (2013)Cite this article

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To the Editor:

The introduction of two human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines—Merck's (Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA) Gardasil against HPV types 6/11/16/18 or HPV4 and GlaxoSmithKline's (London) Cervarix against HPV types 16/18 or HPV2—for young adult immunizations1,2 represents a major step forward in the prevention of cervical cancer. Since Gardasil was approved in June 2006, HPV vaccination has become the primary prevention strategy for cervical cancer in developed countries. In contrast, many developing countries, including China, have failed to adopt the vaccine largely because of its unprecedented high price ($360 for a three-dose series in the United States)3. The price of the vaccine will likely take years, if not decades, to drop. Similarly, expecting the Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization (GAVI) or other global charity organizations to exercise triaged assistance toward worldwide coverage4 and mandatory HPV vaccination is unrealistic, given the staggering level of funding needed and the lengthy political process involved5. As an alternative, we propose a 'semi-mandatory HPV vaccination strategy' in which governments subsidize HPV vaccination initially in low-income settings for high-risk individuals willing to pay an affordable cost. Given the current financial austerity worldwide, the proposed semi-mandatory (initially for high-risk women) vaccination strategy would be more meaningful than a full mandatory vaccination strategy even in high-income countries and/or regions.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (nos. 2009BAI82B02 and 2010DFB34100) and the Oasis Scholar Fund of Shihezi University (no. LZXZ201023). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China

    Wen Jie Zhang, Feng Li & Dilixia Simayi

  2. Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China

    Wen Jie Zhang, Feng Li & Ying Hong Wang

  3. Obstetrics & Gynecology, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China

    Ying Hong Wang

  4. Kashi Prefecture Health Bureau, Kashi, Xinjiang, China

    Abudukeyoumu Saimaiti

  5. Kashi Prefecture First People's Hospital, Kashi, Xinjiang, China

    Xiao Guang Zou

  6. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China

    Cheng Liang Xiong

  7. Department of Immunology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China

    Fei Li Gong

  8. School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China

    Yu Guang Cao

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  1. Wen Jie Zhang
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Zhang, W., Li, F., Wang, Y. et al. The case for semi-mandatory HPV vaccination in China. Nat Biotechnol 31, 590–591 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.2631

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