In a major step forward in fighting cervical cancer, a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine developed by Chinese researchers will be widely available in the country for women under the age of 45 in May, reported Xinhua News Agency.

The HPV vaccine was jointly developed by Xiamen University and a subsidiary of YangShengTang Group in east China's Fujian Province, after an 18-year study. It was approved by the National Medical Products Administration in December 2019.

Starting next month, the first batch of more than 93,000 vaccines will be available in community hospitals in provincial-level regions including Hubei, Jilin and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, said a source of the university Sunday.

Cervical cancer is caused by sexually acquired infection with certain types of HPV. It is the third most common cancer among women.

China has a very high incidence and death rate, and previous studies show that for Chinese women the peak incidence of HPV infection occurs between the ages of 15 and 19.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and many countries recommend people to get vaccinated between the ages of nine through 14.

The newly available vaccine can protect against HPV 16 and 18, two major HPV types causing 70 percent of all cervical cancers. It can be given to women aged nine to 45, according to the source.

- Bernama