High demand for 4-way HPV vaccine results in mainland supply shortage

Strong demand has resulted in long waiting lists for a four-way human papilloma virus vaccine since its debut on the Chinese mainland this year.

The second type of HPV vaccine to be introduced on the mainland, the so-called quadrivalent vaccine, known as Gardsil, was made available in major cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing after the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Its popularity has resulted in shortages not seen with its predecessor, the two-way drug known as Cervarix, which was brought to the mainland last year.