Scalpers wiggle into HPV vaccine appointments

Medical workers and experts say online vendors are profiteering from doctor's appointments - time slots offered for sale at high prices - at some private hospitals for people seeking the 9-valent HPV vaccine, and they're asking health authorities for immediate intervention.

The wide-ranging vaccine, given to females from age 9 to 26 to protect against nine types of human papillomavirus, a major cause of cancer, has been in short supply since it was introduced to the Chinese mainland in April.

While both private and public hospitals have either stopped taking appointments or introduced waiting lists, online agencies have started offering vaccination appointments at inflated prices for some private ones.