Minister Of Health: Cervical Cancer Vaccination Is Mandatory, It's Free Because It Is Funded By The State

JAKARTA - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to protect against the risk of the virus that causes cervical cancer is mandatory and funded by the state.

"The HPV vaccination is provided free of charge, financed by the state," said Budi Gunadi Sadikin as quoted by Antara, Wednesday, April 20.

Budi said the cervical cancer vaccination program applies to target communities who are at risk through the implementation of activities in stages starting this year.

Budi said the HPV vaccination program is included in the ranks of mandatory vaccinations in Indonesia such as COVID-19 and complete basic immunization.

"Because we really want to do that (required) as an action related to preventive and promotive. Like COVID-19, if we get sick it costs tens of millions to go to the hospital," he said.

Through the cervical cancer prevention program, Budi said, it is hoped that the government will be able to cut government spending on medical expenses for patients in hospitals.

"With prevention, wearing masks, taking vitamins, it's much cheaper, so vaccination is for prevention, not for treating sick people," he said.

The Acting Director of Immunization Management at the Ministry of Health, Prima Yosephine, said that the initial stage of HPV vaccination targets female students in grades 5 and 6 of elementary schools with two doses each.

The vaccination is held in conjunction with the School Children's Immunization Month (BIAS) program which is routinely held in August and November every year.

He said HPV vaccination had started in two provinces and five districts/cities in Indonesia since 2021 and was expanded to three provinces and five districts/cities this year. The plan for cervical cancer vaccination is to apply nationally in 2023-2024