Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-12-30 04:37Core Insights - The project initiated by the China Cancer Foundation and supported by Merck aims to implement a comprehensive cervical cancer prevention program in low-resource areas of China, starting in Shanxi Province [1][4] - Merck has donated a total of 81,000 doses of HPV vaccines to the China Cancer Foundation, which will be distributed for free vaccination of eligible middle school girls in various provinces [1][2] - The project is significant for reducing the burden of HPV-related diseases and is aligned with China's goal of eliminating cervical cancer as part of the Healthy China initiative [1][4] Group 1: Project Implementation - The cervical cancer prevention project officially launched on December 29, 2023, after nearly six months of preparation, including training healthcare personnel and conducting surveys [1][4] - The project specifically targets middle school girls, as vaccination at a younger age is believed to elicit a better immune response and provide more effective protection [3][4] - The initiative is part of a broader strategy to address the rising incidence of cervical cancer in China, particularly among younger women [2][3] Group 2: Public Health Context - HPV infection is a major health threat for women in China, with the country reporting the highest number of cervical cancer cases globally in 2022 [2] - The World Health Organization has emphasized the importance of HPV vaccination as a key preventive measure against cervical cancer, which is increasingly recognized as a public health issue in China [2][3] - The project aligns with the WHO's global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer and China's own action plan for 2023-2030 [2][4]