Demand continues to grow in China for the HPV vaccine -- which can help prevent the onset of cervical cancer. Two versions of the vaccine were introduced to the Chinese mainland last year. But many women are still going to Hong Kong for the shots. It's presenting huge challenges, as Mao Dan reports.  

Demand exceeding supply makes the latest HPV vaccine a much wanted product for clinics and health care centers in Hong Kong.

The vaccine targets human papillomavirus or HPV, a sexually-transmitted infection linked to the onset of cervical cancer and cuts down 90% infections.

Demand in Hong Kong surged especially after two early versions of HPV vaccines were introduced to the Chinese mainland last year to fill a market void.

DABBY LO HONG KONG BIB HEALTH CARE CENTER "The vaccination series can be started at 9, for both males and females, and there is no exact age cap. More and more from the Chinese mainland are coming to Hong Kong to get the shots. One reason I think is the vaccines currently available on the Chinese mainland is 2-valent, while Hong Kong has the upgraded version, the 9-valent."

The vaccine visitors don't seem at all deterred by the price, which has almost tripled from two or three years ago. One needs to pay up to 10-thousand Hong Kong dollars or around 12-hundred US dollars for the three shots of the Gardasil 9 vaccination, excluding travel expenses.

And having the money is no guarantee you'll get the vaccine right away. The Hong Kong market is struggling to get enough. US drug-maker Merck halted supply to the region early in May for an unspecified period.

MAO DAN HONG KONG Downstairs at some clinics in Kowloon district, there used to be long queues of visitors waiting for hours to get their shots. How do I know? Because I queued here two months ago to get my third and final shot of the vaccine. Now the queues are gone, because the clinics are closed temporarily and they sent messages to clients saying they have no vaccine in stock and shots scheduled for May and June have been suspended until further notice.

DABBY LO HONG KONG BIB HEALTH CARE CENTER "What we do is that we limit the number of orders, so that everyone we take can be guaranteed 3 shots.  I heard that some clinics give hundreds of shots a day and quickly run out of supply, and are therefore unable to finish injection series for clients. The vaccination series should be done within 6 months, or in one year at most. Otherwise the first one or two shots taken will be wasted."

The healthcare center says people from the Chinese mainland should reconsider before going to Hong Kong. Community hospitals on the Chinese mainland offer similar vaccines that can target HPV types responsible for at least 70 percent of all cervical cancer cases. Mao Dan, CGTN, Hong Kong.