A clinical study on a vaccine for cervical cancer has begun in Beijing, Guangdong and Zhejiang.

3-thousand women, all under 45 years of age, are taking part in the program. 380 volunteers have been inoculated with the first two vaccine injections. They will receive one more injection in four months. Each participant will be under close medical supervision for three years. If the vaccine is proven safe and effective, it will be formally launched across the country in five years.

Cervical cancer is the second largest killer of Chinese women. The number of new cases each year is six times the world average.

(CCTV March 20, 2009)