Exciting news from the Chinese mainland! The nation’s National Medical Products Administration has approved Cecolin 9, the first domestically developed nine-valent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. This achievement makes China the second country after the United States to independently supply a high-valency HPV vaccine.
Developed through a dynamic collaboration between Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Xiamen University, and Wantai BioPharm, Cecolin 9 has been rigorously tested in five clinical trials since 2019. Over 11,000 healthy volunteers aged 9 to 45 participated to show its impressive protection against key HPV strains, including 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58—boasting over 98% effectiveness against persistent infections and 100% protection against cervical infections! 😮
A standout feature? For girls ages 9 to 17, only two doses provide a robust immune response, comparable to the three-dose regimen required for young women aged 18 to 26. Currently, for those aged 15 to 17, Cecolin 9 is the only available two-dose option in China, making vaccination simpler and more accessible.
The promising results, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, confirm that the vaccine’s immune response is comparable to other international products for at least 30 months after full immunization. This success builds on the research team’s earlier breakthrough with China’s first domestically made two-valent HPV vaccine, which received WHO pre-qualification in 2021 and now serves 21 countries.
With cervical cancer ranking as one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, these advancements are crucial. Alongside programs offering free HPV vaccinations to nearly 40% of girls aged 13 to 14, this new vaccine marks a significant step forward in protecting future generations and promoting health worldwide. 🌟
Reference(s):
China approves first domestically produced nine-valent HPV vaccine
cgtn.com
