AsianFin -- China will include the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in its national immunization program this year, marking the program’s first major expansion in nearly two decades, health officials announced on Thursday.

Shen Hongbing, director of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, said at a press conference that HPV vaccination services will be made available to school-aged girls starting this year.

The move represents a significant shift in China’s public health strategy. For years, the national immunization schedule has focused primarily on childhood vaccinations such as polio, measles, and hepatitis. By including HPV—a virus that can cause cervical and other cancers—China is signaling a broader emphasis on disease prevention across the lifespan.