Adult Vaccines Popular at Shanghai EverBetter Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital

HPV vaccines, which cost as much as 1,000 yuan for a single dose and 3,000 yuan for full doses, tended to trigger a "panic buy" every time they were launched on the market in recent years. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, private medical institutions have become new "hotspots" for vaccination. 

"I got an offer to study abroad in Australia. I plan to get vaccinated against HPV during the half year before I depart for school,” said Miss Lin. She made an appointment at EverBetter in early August, and took the first dose of the 9-valent HPV vaccine 20 days later.  

Likewise, Ms. Liu, 52, from Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, also booked a vaccination at EverBetter. She recently took the first dose of the zoster vaccine at EverBetter. "My daughter gave birth to her child at this hospital. When she heard that the zoster vaccine is available in Shanghai, she immediately booked it for me."

At a private hospital, a full dose vaccine costs usually over 1,000 yuan higher than at a public hospital, but Ms. Liu thought it was worth it, "Zoster vaccine is not available in Nantong, and I can't get vaccinated at the community medical centers in Shanghai because I'm not a local resident. Private hospitals therefore give me access to vaccination.”

Dr. Shen Wanrong, head of vaccination at EverBetter OB/GYN Hospital, said the hospital has vaccinated over 1,500 people so far in 2020. "HPV and influenza vaccines are always in tight supply. Zoster vaccine has also well received.”