Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has included in the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme since the 2019/20 school year for Primary Five and Six female students. In line with the latest World Health Organization recommendations, the Department of Health (DH) launched a one-off catch-up programme for HPV vaccination (the Programme) in December 2024 which aims to gradually boost the herd immunity of the community against high-risk HPV infection, thereby preventing cervical cancer. The Programme will last for about two years and will be implemented in three phases.
The first phase provided free vaccines to female students studying at full-time secondary schools (including the secondary section of special schools) who were in Form Five or above and registered with eHealth. As of April 1, over 510 schools (approximately 98 % of eligible schools) have responded or indicated their participation. Among these, nearly 280 schools have already conducted vaccination activities, with over 14 000 doses administered. Counting doses administered under the Programme and self-arranged vaccinations, the first-dose HPV vaccine coverage rate is over 70 per cent.
The second phase, which targets female Hong Kong residents studying in local post-secondary institutions or universities who were born between 2004 and 2008, was launched in March 2025.
The third phase of the Programme will start in the first half of 2025. Targeted recipients are female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who have already completed their studies in Hong Kong. This phase will also cover the remaining female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who have not yet completed their HPV vaccination. Details will be announced in due course.
This presentation will discuss the implementation of the Programme and the coverage of HPV vaccination in Hong Kong.
