Hong Kong health authorities probe at least one private clinic over fears of smuggled Gardasil 9 HPV vaccines
- Manufacturer MSD urges customers not to use vaccines that do not carry its local registration details on packaging
- Lawmaker Ann Chiang says she has received at least 30 complaints involving seven clinics
Hong Kong’s health department is investigating at least one private clinic over the alleged use of HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines from unknown sources, after the sole manufacturer denied providing products to it.
The investigation was launched as manufacturer MSD paid for front-page ads in local newspapers on Friday reminding customers not to use “Gardasil 9” vaccines that did not carry its local registration details on the packaging. A lawmaker also reported to the department that she had received roughly 30 complaints about seven clinics.
On Friday afternoon, outside AMH Medical Diagnostic Group’s clinic in Jordan, dozens of mainland Chinese women waited for hours seeking a refund and an explanation about the vaccines, for which they paid up to HK$7,000 (US$897).
Yan Zheng from Guangzhou received three injections at the clinic last month.
“I saw in the news that a clinic in Jordan was named over the vaccines,” Zheng said. “I was worried and came to find out.”