The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (May 28) that the one‑off Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Catch-up Programme (catch-up programme), launched by the Government in 2024, will conclude successfully in December. All eligible female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who have not completed their HPV vaccination series are advised to make an appointment quickly, either via the webpage of the Women Wellness Satellites under the Primary Healthcare Commission or by phone, in order to effectively guard against potentially lethal cervical cancer.
 
     "Since the 2019/20 school year, the Government has been providing HPV vaccinations to eligible Primary Five and Primary Six school girls as part of the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (HKCIP). The cumulative number of doses administered has exceeded 300 000. Based on the data on vaccination coverage rates from the School Immunisation Teams, it is projected that the coverage rate for completion of two doses of HPV vaccination among 15-year-old girls in Hong Kong has surpassed the high level of 90 per cent. Not only does this significantly exceed the 70 per cent interim target coverage rate for completion of HPV vaccinations for school girls as set out in the Hong Kong Cancer Strategy, it has also achieved ahead of schedule the target of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination, i.e. 90 per cent of girls fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by age of 15 years before 2030," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.

     Cervical cancer ranks ninth among cancer deaths in females in Hong Kong, with 160 deaths recorded in 2024. HPV vaccination is among the most effective measures for cervical cancer prevention, especially for females who have never been exposed to HPV infection, i.e. before their first sexual encounter. In response to the recommendations of the WHO, the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases under the CHP agreed to extend the HPV vaccination target group to include older girls aged 18 or below. A one-off catch‑up programme lasting for about two years was thus launched by the DH in December 2024 to enhance protection for females in this age group, which primarily targets eligible female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who have not been covered by the HKCIP. Each eligible person can receive two doses of vaccination, while immunocompromised persons have to receive three doses of vaccination. All doses are free of charge. Since the recommended interval between the two doses of the HPV vaccine for women with a normal immune function is at least five months, it is recommended that the first dose be administered on or before June 30, 2026, to ensure that the vaccination series is completed before the catch-up programme concludes.
 
     Dr Tsui said, "Since its launch in late 2024, the Government has administered a cumulative total of over 61 000 doses of HPV vaccine through the catch-up programme. As of May 2026, taking into account both catch-up programme participants and those who arranged their own vaccinations, the estimated first‑dose HPV vaccination coverage rate for the relevant group has exceeded 60 per cent. The catch-up programme is now in its final phase. Eligible female Hong Kong residents need only register with eHealth to make an appointment for HPV vaccinations through the webpage of Women Wellness Satellites under the Primary Healthcare Commission or by phone. Eligible female residents of Hong Kong who have not yet received their HPV vaccination series should seize this opportunity to get their first vaccination dose by June 30, 2026, so that they can complete the vaccination series before the catch-up programme ends on December 31, 2026, and protect their health. Those who miss this catch‑up programme will have to arrange for the vaccination on their own and bear the full cost if they wish to receive the HPV vaccination in the future."
 
    Members of the public may visit the CHP's thematic webpage for more information about the HPV vaccination catch‑up programme, including vaccination venues.

Ends/Thursday, May 28, 2026
Issued at HKT 14:49

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