Ministry Of Health: Children Who Do Not Go To School Are Targeted For HPV Vaccination

Director of Immunization Management of the Ministry of Health Prima Yosephine at the Press Conference on servix Cancer Awareness Month in Jakarta, Tuesday (31/1/2023). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health stated that children who are not in school are still targeted by the government in administering the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine which can prevent cervical cancer.

"The government's duty is to ensure that all Indonesian girls get the HPV vaccine. This means that for children aged 11-12 years who are not attending formal school, they are still included in the government's target," said the Director of Immunization Management at the Ministry of Health, Prima Yosephine, at the Cervical Cancer Awareness Month Press Conference in Jakarta, Antara, Tuesday, January 31.

Prima stated that the Indonesian government had taken concrete steps by implementing the HPV immunization program as one of 14 complete basic immunizations for grade 5 and 6 elementary school girls.

The government is targeting the HPV vaccine to be given in as many as two doses and so far there has been no charge.

The administration of the vaccine is aimed at maximizing the development of antibodies during the "golden time" for children in preventing cervical cancer which is now the second highest cause of death in women in Indonesia after breast cancer.

According to Prima, even though all children within the specified age are included in the government's target, there are still a number of challenges such as rejection from both schools and parents.

On the other hand, there are still those who are promoting black campaigns about the HPV vaccination. Some of the ones that are rife are sharia issues, bad rumors in the media, and misperceptions about Post-Immunization Follow-up Events (AEFI).

"Regarding the negative rumours, we need clarification immediately so as not to interfere with the implementation of the HPV BIAS and a high coverage of at least 95 percent can be achieved," he said.

Therefore, the Ministry of Health is involved in mobilizing a number of parties in educating and preventing the wider spread of hoaxes such as the Health Service and the Social Service while taking data on these children who are not in school.

From the data collection, the government is preparing the HPV vaccine according to the needs in each region. The government is also trying to gather the children in one place in order to ensure that children's rights are fulfilled indiscriminately.

"The administration of the HPV vaccine to non-educated children can be done at posyandu, puskesmas or it can also be at orphanages, halfway houses, foundations, and orphanages," said Prima.

He added that for people beyond that age, currently, they can still access the HPV vaccine at the nearest health facility. It's just that the cost of administering the vaccine at this time cannot be borne by the government.

"The target for the government-borne HPV vaccine is at the age of 11-12 years. But for people outside this group, the HPV vaccine can be purchased independently," he said.