Remaining doubts

“I did a lot of research online to learn about its safety and necessity,” said Liu. “Before the final decision was made, I hesitated a lot.”

Her initial trepidation was not unfounded, as HPV vaccine, like every other vaccine, can cause adverse reactions such as pain, swelling, redness, fever, dizziness, and nausea. Some also worry that a history of 10 years is too short to prove its safety.

One well-known case of anaphylactoid reaction is that of 2013, when more than 30 Japanese women experienced total body pain after receiving GSK vaccine. As the pain didn’t subside even after the treatment, the Japanese Government suspended its recommendation for the two HPV vaccines to the public, but did not ban the HPV vaccine outright.

“There is no evidence so far of a causal link between the vaccine and these serious adverse reactions,” said Gong Xiaoming, Doctor at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital. “It might be accidental.”

Liu said she had been reading about the adverse reactions right before she left for Hong Kong the first time. “I was a little scared,” admitted Liu. “But I eventually went, because I did not want to waste the money I paid.”

Globally, as of March 2014, a total of 170 million doses of HPV vaccines have been administered. Besides the safety issue, the expensive price is another concern. Each dose of the HPV vaccine costs 850 yuan ($128) and a course consists of three shots. In many places, the vaccines are provided to young girls at the optimum age for free.

“I got a discount thanks to a cooperation project between my company and the hospital, but the three shots still cost me $290. And I spent even more on flight tickets and hotels,” said Liu. “That’s the reason why some people gave it up, especially those above 25 years old - limited efficacy and huge cost.”

cuixiaoqin@chinafrica.cn