PPP also proposes free HPV vaccination for ppl under 26

The opposition party also proposes free HPV vaccination for men and women under 26

Rep. Mi-ae Kim, “NIP coverage also needs to be expanded for influenza vaccines”

Legislation expected to move quickly as the HPV vaccination pledge was proposed during the presidential election by both the ruling and opposition parties... Will likely impact Cervarix and Gardasil

Following the ruling party, the main opposition party, the People Power Party, also submitted a bill to the National Assembly to provide free HPV vaccines to all citizens aged 26 and under, regardless of gender.

 

The People Power Party’s bill also included provisions to expand the scope of free influenza vaccinations beyond the current coverage.

 

This would involve increasing the age eligibility for influenza vaccines under the National Immunization Program (NIP), which was previously only applied to children, adolescents, and the elderly.

 

Currently, three types of HPV vaccines are approved in South Korea: Cervarix (bivalent), Gardasil (Quadrivalent), and Gardasil 9 (9-valent).

 

If the legislation is passed, the expansion of the scope of NIP is expected to bring positive outcomes.

 

Currently, only Cervarix and quadrivalent Gardasil are included in the NIP, but the demand for Gardasil 9’s inclusion in the NIP will likely grow if the legislation is enacted.

 

On the 31st, People Power Party member Mi-ae Kim introduced a bill to amend the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act to include these provisions.

 

Expanding eligibility for free HPV vaccinations to both men and women was a common campaign promise of both the ruling and opposition parties in the last presidential election.

 

Until now, only the ruling party had submitted related bills to the National Assembly (by Reps.

 

Hee-seung Park and Sujin Lee), but with Rep.

 

Mi-ae Kim introducing a bill with the same intent, the legislation is gaining momentum.

 

Rep.

 

Kim pointed out that HPV is a virus that can cause various diseases, including cervical cancer, anal cancer, and oral cancer, and can affect both men and women.

 

However, she said that the issue is that the current NIP is limited to “women aged 12 to 26.”.

 

To address this, Rep.

 

Kim introduced a bill to include anyone under the age of 26, regardless of gender, in the free HPV vaccination program.

 

In addition, Rep.

 

Kim’s bill includes a provision to expand the scope of free influenza virus vaccinations.

 

Currently, the NIP (free vaccination) for influenza vaccines is limited to “pregnant women, children aged 13 and under, and seniors aged 65 and over.” In the bill, Representative Kim expanded the scope of free influenza vaccinations to “those aged 18 and under and those aged 62 and over.” Rep.

 

Kim explained, “Considering that most children engage in group activities at school until around the age of 18, it is necessary to extend the age range for vaccination to 18 to more thoroughly prevent the spread of the influenza virus.

 

In addition, vaccination support for the elderly, who are vulnerable to influenza, must be strengthened further.” Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Korea has proposed swift passage of bills related to the common campaign pledges of both parties during the presidential election to PPP and other opposition parties, which include free HPV vaccinations for both men and women.