Lawmakers are calling for more secondary schools to get involved in the government's HPV vaccine catch-up programme, saying the current participation rate was not ideal.

The Department of Health has purchased 180,000 HPV jabs for 52,000 female students to take two doses for free.

But only 3,700 students were inoculated as 34 percent of schools have refused or have yet to sign up to the scheme that was rolled out last year, blaming manpower problems or scheduling issues.

Dr David Lam from the medical sector said two doses of the HPV vaccine could offer lifelong protection.

"The 9-valent HPV vaccine that we have right now can cover most of the viruses causing cervical cancer. It can prevent the infection caused by these viruses," he said.

"This means it has very wide coverage. Apart from this, it's also very safe. Medical evidence has shown that its effectiveness can reach 90 percent or more."

He noted that side effects, such as headaches and nausea, are mild.

Elizabeth Quat from the DAB urged the government to step up promotion of the vaccine, saying that many parents were unaware of the free programme.

It costs at least HK$3,000 for two HPV jabs in the private sector, she added.

The number of cervical cancer cases in Hong Kong has surged by almost 30 percent in the past decade.

In 2022, the disease was the ninth deadliest cancer in the SAR.