[Reporter's view] Expanding NIP to include 9-vHPV

presents dilemma

Several treatment-related agenda items were discussed during this year's parliamentary audit of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW).

 

Various current measures, including improvements to the drug pricing system and blood cancers, have been discussed.

 

One is the necessity of including human immunodeficiency virus (hereafter referred to as, HPV) in the National Immunization Program (NIP).

 

Several argued that Gardasil 9, an HPV9 included in the government's plan, should be included in the NIP.

 

Since 2016, the nationwide HPV vaccination has been provided to girls aged at least 12.

 

Then, since 2022, it has been expanded to include female·juveniles of 12-17 years of age, and low-income females aged at least 18-26.

 

2-valent‧4-valent vaccines have been included in the program, whereas 9-valent vaccine is not supported.

 

The current issue is whether to expand the vaccination program to male juveniles.

 

During last year's parliamentary audit, Rep.

 

Nam In-soon of the Democratic Party of Korea requested an expanded scope of the NIP for HPV vaccines based on 'The current record of patients undergoing treatments for head and neck cancer or oropharyngeal cancer.' Rep.

 

Suh Myung-ok, a member of the People Power Party, has presented a 'Legislative bill for partial revision of the prevention and management of infectious diseases.' The question of whether the shingles vaccine Shingrix would be included in the NIP program has drawn attention again.

 

The remaining issue is the cost.

 

On average, the cost of a 1-dose vaccination for Gardasil 9 and Shingrix is about KRW 200,000, thereby referred to as 'Premium vaccines.' The majority of opinions is that the problems of cost-effectiveness, regardless of the benefits brought by vaccines, hinder the government's plan to pursue this policy.

 

However, other opinions suggest a different view towards including premium vaccines in the NIP may be necessary.

 

This means that, beyond the cost issue, people need to consider the effects comprehensively since the preventative effects of these vaccines are proven.

 

An effective distribution of funds may be considered because vaccinations for Shingrix have already been supported by local governments, irrespective of the current discussions within the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

 

Kim Yea-ji, a member of the Health and Welfare Committee (People Power Party), and Rep.

 

Nam have emphasized that the inclusion of vaccines, such as Gardasil 9, in the program could reduce people's medical costs in the long term.

 

However, cost-related issues remain a burden on the government, as the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)'s budget for the NIP program next year has been markedly reduced.

 

Pharmaceutical companies may need to voice their opinions during discussions about future implementation.

 

Considering the nature of NIP vaccines, a 'good value' approach is inevitable.

 

Vaccines are continuously being developed, and their preventative effects are increasing.

 

Although premium vaccines present a dilemma for NIP inclusion, changes to repeating discussions are demanding.

 

We anticipate the government's varied approaches and discussions.