The struggle in combating cervical cancer in Hong Kong
Cervical cancer is one of the first cancers to be able to be eradicated with a vaccine. However, in comparison to the 70% rates in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, Hong Kong only achieved a shockingly low 10% rate of the HPV vaccination.
Calling for a wider coverage of cervical cancer vaccination programme for more women
In response to the request for increasing coverage of the HPV vaccine, the Hong Kong government approved a HK$99 million three-year program funded by the Community Care Fund in October 2016. The program provides girls from low-income families with free cervical cancer vaccines, which would otherwise cost HK$3,000 in private clinics. It was projected to cover over 30,000 girls aged between nine to 18 years old.