29 health. Only by making joint male-female prevention the norm, implementing both vaccination and regular screening, and fostering synergy across the whole population can we truly build a strong herd immunity barrier. This will mean "one less worry" from HPV-related diseases, an extra measure of security for everyone's reproductive health, and ultimately achieving the prevention and control goal of "ONE LESS WORRY."

International HPV Awareness Day | Professor Wei Li hui Discusses HPV Prevention and Control, Dispels Vaccination Misconceptions, and Advocates for Joint Male-Female Efforts to Strengthen Reproductive Health Defense

On March 4, 2026, International HPV Awareness Day arrived as scheduled. This year's observance continues with the theme "ONE LESS WORRY," focusing on scientific prevention and control of HPV. To dispel common misconceptions and promote the health concept of "early screening, early vaccination, and early intervention," the Gynecology and Obstetrics Network invited Professor Wei Li hui from Peking University People's Hospital to provide professional insights on key public concerns regarding HPV vaccination, protection for different populations, and the dual prevention system. The aim is to help everyone understand HPV scientifically, stay away from related diseases, and have "one less worry."

Clarifying Misconceptions, Alleviating Vaccination Concerns

Currently, China is steadily advancing the policy of free bivalent HPV vaccination for 13-year-old girls. However, many parents harbor concerns about the protective efficacy of the "2-dose" regimen. Simultaneously, the male population has insufficient awareness regarding their own HPV infection risk and the importance of vaccination. These two major misconceptions pose significant obstacles to HPV prevention and control. Scientific data and clinical research provide the best answers to alleviate these concerns.

Regarding the 2-dose vaccination schedule for 13-year-old girls, this was not arbitrarily decided. It is a scientific policy formulated by China's State Council in conjunction with seven ministries, based on clinical research and global practice, officially incorporated into the national immunization program on November 10 last year. Clinical studies have confirmed that girls aged 9-14 receiving 2 doses of the bivalent HPV vaccine develop an antibody response comparable to girls aged 15-26 receiving 3 doses, with antibody titers reaching 1.5-2 times those of older women. This means 2 doses can achieve the same preventive effect as 3 doses. Moreover, most countries globally adopt the 2-dose standard for girls under 15, the scientific validity and effectiveness of which have long been internationally verified. Choosing age 13 as the core vaccination age balances protective effects with the child's academic and social life. Children at this age have just entered junior high school; completing vaccination during the first and second years minimizes impact on cognitive development and studies. Experts also suggest that 13-14 years old is the golden period for girls to receive the HPV vaccine.

HPV is not a disease exclusive to women. The infection risk and prevention value for men need to be recognized. Abandoning the misconception that "men don't need vaccination" is essential for more comprehensive protection. Global data shows that women have an 80% lifetime probability of HPV infection, while for men, the probability reaches 90% after sexual activity. Unlike most HPV infections in women, which the immune system can clear, HPV tends to persist at high levels in men. Currently, China has approved two HPV vaccines for men: the quadrivalent vaccine for males aged 9-26, and the imported 9-valent vaccine for males aged 16-26. As domestic clinical trials have so far only covered men up to age 26, vaccination for older men is not yet approved. With the accumulation of relevant clinical data in China, approval for older males is expected in the future. For now, age-eligible men should seize the opportunity to get vaccinated and take proactive protective measures.

Tailoring to Different Populations, Scientifically Choosing HPV Vaccines

The protective effect of HPV vaccines is not only related to vaccine valency but also closely tied to vaccination age and individual circumstances. For different groups like adolescents, adult women, and eligible men, finding a suitable vaccination plan that balances protection scope and timing is key to maximizing vaccine effectiveness. The core principle throughout remains: vaccination before sexual activity begins yields better immune effects.

Adolescent females are a key target group for HPV vaccination, especially those under 26. Among them, girls under 15 have immune systems that respond better to the vaccine, generating stronger immunogenicity and superior protection post-vaccination. This is a key reason for including 13-year-old girls in the national free vaccination program. For this group, timely completion of the vaccination schedule within the national immunization program constitutes the most basic and effective protection.

Adult women should not forgo vaccination due to increasing age. The threat of HPV to women spans multiple age groups. Chinese women show two distinct peaks of HPV infection: 17-24 years and 40-44 years. Moreover, 72.3% of infections in women are with a single HPV type, meaning vaccination can still play a significant role even after sexual activity has begun. Adult women without sexual activity can achieve optimal preventive effects. For sexually active women, the vaccine remains effective against HPV types not yet encountered. Even for those who have had an HPV infection that was cleared by their immune system, vaccination can prevent re-infection. Furthermore, women who have undergone treatment for cervical lesions can also benefit by reducing the risk of re-infection. In essence, women at every age can derive protective value from HPV vaccination.

Men getting vaccinated against HPV is both self-protection and a responsibility towards their sexual partners. Data indicates 90% of men will encounter HPV infection, but only 7% of infections are cleared by their own immunity. This not only increases their risk of diseases like penile and perianal cancers but also facilitates virus transmission to partners. Eligible men with the means should actively get the HPV vaccine. This can reduce their own infection risk and disease probability, decrease virus transmission, and build a defense line for their partner's reproductive health, bringing "one less worry" to protection within intimate relationships.

Building a Dual Defense, Fostering Whole-Population Prevention Synergy

The core support for the preventability and controllability of HPV lies in the dual defense system of "vaccination + regular screening." To embed this concept deeply, it is essential to guide men's active participation in prevention and control, promoting synergistic efforts across the entire population to build a robust herd immunity barrier, thereby genuinely reducing the threat of HPV-related diseases.

The harm of HPV extends far beyond cervical cancer. High-risk HPV infection is not only the main cause of cervical cancer but is also closely linked to cancers of the vulva, vagina, and anus in women, and penile and anal cancers in men. It can also cause benign diseases like genital warts and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. HPV vaccination provides good preventive effects against all the aforementioned HPV-related benign and malignant diseases. This underscores the importance of male vaccination – HPV prevention and control is never a single-gender issue; joint male-female prevention constitutes a complete protection system.

Herd immunity is a key lever in HPV control. International practice has long confirmed its effectiveness: Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland) implemented national HPV vaccination programs starting in 2007. In Sweden, the vaccinated cohort showed an 88% reduction in cervical cancer incidence as they grew up. The US and Australia have also effectively controlled HPV infection and diseases like genital warts by increasing vaccination rates. Data clearly shows that when HPV vaccination coverage reaches over 70%, a significant preventive effect on HPV-related diseases becomes evident. Every individual's proactive vaccination contributes to building herd immunity.

Simultaneously, it must be clear that vaccination is not a one-time solution. It is complementary and inseparable from regular screening. HPV vaccines are prophylactic, not therapeutic. They cannot treat existing HPV infections or related lesions. Women who are sexually active may still face infection risks even after completing vaccination, or may have been infected with HPV before vaccination. This is where regular screening is crucial for timely detection. Standardized cervical cancer screening can identify precancerous lesions and early-stage cervical cancer promptly, enabling early detection, intervention, and treatment, effectively preventing cervical cancer occurrence and death. Data shows that when cervical cancer screening rates reach over 70%, the harm from cervical cancer can be significantly reduced, adding another layer of security for women's reproductive health.

Summary

Preventing and controlling HPV is a shared responsibility for the entire population. Adolescent females should seize the golden opportunity of free national vaccination and complete it promptly. Adult women should discard age-related concerns, proactively get vaccinated, and adhere to regular screening. Eligible men should break the "it's not my concern" misconception, actively get vaccinated for self-protection, and safeguard their partner's health. Only by making joint male-female prevention the norm, implementing both vaccination and regular screening, and fostering synergy across the whole population can we truly build a strong herd immunity barrier. This will mean "one less worry" from HPV-related diseases, an extra measure of security for everyone's reproductive health, and ultimately achieving the prevention and control goal of "ONE LESS WORRY."

Expert Profile

Professor Wei Li hui

Peking University People's Hospital

Professor, Chief Physician, and Doctoral Supervisor in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Peking University People's Hospital. Recipient of the State Council Special Allowance.

❖ Professional Appointments: Honorary Director of the Peking University Gynecology and Obstetrics Department; Director of the Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Branch, China Healthy Birth Science Association; Member of the International Federation of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy (IFCPC); Member of the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP); Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Editor-in-Chief of the Chinese Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology.

❖ Academic Contributions: Has made significant contributions to advancing medical care, research, and education in gynecology and obstetrics in China, possessing profound research foundation and practical experience, especially in the field of cervical cancer prevention and control. Has released a thematic video on this topic in a live program on the People's Daily Health Client during the Two Sessions period. Served as Director of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Peking University People's Hospital for many years, pioneering the establishment of the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department at Peking University, shaping its disciplinary strengths. In recent years, has promoted China's cervical cancer prevention efforts on the global stage.

❖ Honors and Achievements: Recipient of multiple First, Second, and Third Prizes for Science and Technology from the Ministry of Education, Chinese Medical Association, Chinese Preventive Medicine Association, and Beijing Municipality; China Physician Award; author of over 400 published papers; compiler of several professional books; has supervised 76 master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral students.

Responsible Editor:Lily