Report by Tribunnews.com reporter Rina Ayu
TRIBUNNEWS.COM, JAKARTA — Next year or 2023, the government is prioritizing the administration of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination mainly given to children.
Indonesian Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin mention, Cervical cancer one of which can be prevented by vaccination.
The HPV vaccination program has become one of 14 comprehensive core vaccines for children.
This is supported by the publication of a decree health Minister Republic of Indonesia Number HK.01.07/MENKES/6779/2021 regarding Human Papillomavirus Immunization Program 2022-2024.
“We can eliminate this cancer virus, by increasing HPV vaccination coverage in every city so that we can reduce cancer mortality and costs,” the Minister of Health said in his quoted statement on Friday (16 /12/2022).
Currently, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death and one of the biggest health financing burdens in Indonesia.
Read also : The HPV vaccine is believed to be able to prevent cervical cancer early on
According to Globocan data for 2021, there are 36,633 cases Cervical cancer in Indonesia with an ever-increasing death rate. Causes vary by heredity, environment, unhealthy lifestyle, and viruses.
“Cancer has killed more than 200,000 people in Indonesia, the majority because they did not receive adequate treatment and early detection is still low,” the health minister said.
For this reason, the government, through the Ministry of Health and the holding of state-owned pharmaceutical enterprises, is expanding its development and production efforts HPV vaccine in the state by partnering with PT Marck (MSD).
Senior director of Biofarma Honesti Basyir said his party will produce 2.8 million HPV vaccine in 2023.
The two million vaccines must meet the need for two doses HPV vaccine for girls 10 to 11 years old.
“Our main target is elementary school girls in grades 5-6, the number is around 1.4 million people. If there are two doses, we have to prepare 2.8 or almost 3 million doses,” Honesti said.
This free HPV vaccination program will only be a priority for children who are in primary school in 2023.
Meanwhile, for other age groups, they can carry out the HPV vaccination program independently.