MSD and Bio Farma Support the Implementation of the National HPV Immunization Program through School Based Immunization Month (BIAS) Program

August 9, 2023 3:00 pm ET

Minahasa, August 9^th, 2023 – The Ministry of Health is commencing its expansion of the national HPV immunization coverage through the School Based Immunization (BIAS) Program for elementary schoolgirls grade 5 and 6. This event took place at SD Negeri 8 Tondano, Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi.

In Indonesia, HPV immunization introduction program has been carried out in since 2016 by the Ministry of Health and as a form of effort to accelerate the cervical cancer elimination, the HPV immunization program was implemented nationally in 2023. The program was established through the Republic of Indonesia Health Ministerial Decree No. HK.01.07/MENKES/1930/2022 on the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV) Immunization Introduction Program for 2022-2023.

MSD Indonesia Managing Director, George Stylianou stated, ” PT Merck Sharp and Dohme Indonesia (MSD) continues to support the expansion of HPV immunization coverage nationally, one of which is through the School Based Immunization Month (BIAS) program. This program is a concrete step of the government’s commitment to eliminate the spread of cervical cancer in Indonesia. We are proud to participate in the effort to support the availability and affordability of HPV vaccine in Indonesia. At MSD, we remain committed in reducing the number of cervical cancer cases in Indonesia and supporting WHO’s strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer globally.”

Previously, on August 2^nd, 2023, a locally manufactured 4-valent HPV vaccine was launched as a result of a technology transfer in collaboration between MSD and Bio Farma which is expected to increase and expand HPV vaccine coverage in Indonesia.

George emphasized, “This strategic partnership shows MSD’s commitment in providing real support to Indonesia’s health transformation plan. We hope that this partnership will be the initial step of other types of technology transfer, such as expertise, knowledge, and experience between MSD and Bio Farma which will lead to improving the health and quality of life of the Indonesian people.”

In supporting the implementation of the HPV immunization program, MSD also collaborates with the Ministry of Health and other cross-sector professional organizations to educate about cervical cancer and the importance of HPV immunization through Disease Awareness Program activities to medical workers, health workers and the general public.

Director of Bio Farma Shadiq Akasya said that Bio Farma supports the expansion of nationwide HPV immunization coverage by ensuring the availability of the domestically produced 4-valent HPV vaccine by Bio Farma that supports the government’s goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.

“Joining hands with the government, Bio Farma continues to ensure that Indonesian children are protected against cervical cancer through immunization with specific schedules and doses, aiming to achieve the goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.”

Shadiq hopes that both the public and cross-sector stakeholders can play an active role in eliminating cervical cancer through the national HPV immunization program by improving access and expanding coverage of the HPV vaccination in Indonesia.

“Bio Farma takes pride in contributing to the improvement of Indonesians’ health by providing the 4-valent HPV vaccine. With strong collaboration with institutions including the government, health organizations, NGOs, and the industry, Bio Farma will continue to innovate and develop products to enhance the nation’s health quality,” Shadiq stated.

To achieve the cervical cancer elimination target by 2030, in line with WHO’s target, it is expected that the community and cross-sectoral stakeholders can play an active role in eliminating cervical cancer through the national HPV immunization program so that the immunization program can have high and equitable coverage.

Minahasa, 9 Agustus 2023 – Kementerian Kesehatan memulai perluasan cakupan imunisasi HPV skala nasional pada program Bulan Imunisasi Anak Sekolah (BIAS) kepada siswi kelas 5 dan 6 sekolah dasar. Kegiatan ini berlangsung di SD Negeri 8 Tondano, Kabupaten Minahasa, Sulawesi Utara.

Program imunisasi HPV telah dilakukan di Indonesia sejak tahun 2016 oleh Kementerian Kesehatan dan untuk mempercepat pencapaian target eliminasi kanker serviks, program imunisasi HPV mulai dilaksanakan secara nasional pada tahun 2023. Hal ini ditetapkan melalui Keputusan Menteri Kesehatan Republik Indonesia Nomor HK.01.07/MENKES/1930/2022 tentang Program Introduksi Imunisasi Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV) Tahun 2022-2023.

Managing Director MSD Indonesia, George Stylianou mengungkapkan, “PT Merck Sharp & Dohme Indonesia (MSD) terus mendukung perluasan cakupan imunisasi HPV secara nasional, salah satunya melalui program Bulan Imunisasi Anak Sekolah (BIAS). Program ini menjadi langkah nyata dari komitmen pemerintah untuk mengeliminasi penyebaran kanker serviks di Indonesia. Tentunya kami bangga dapat berpartisipasi dalam upaya mendukung ketersediaan dan keterjangkauan vaksin HPV di Indonesia. Di MSD, kami terus berkomitmen untuk mengurangi jumlah kanker serviks di Indonesia dan mendukung strategi WHO untuk mempercepat eleminasi kanker serviks secara global.”

Sebelumnya, pada tanggal 2 Agustus 2023, telah diluncurkan vaksin HPV 4-valensebagai hasil produk transfer teknologi kerja sama antara MSD dan Bio Farma yang diharapkan dapat mendukung peningkatan dan perluasan cakupan imunisasi HPV di Indonesia.

George menekankan, “Kerja sama ini menunjukkan komitmen MSD dalam memberikan dukungan nyata terhadap rencana transformasi kesehatan Indonesia. Kami berharap kerja sama ini menjadi langkah awal dari transfer teknologi jenis lain, seperti keahlian, pengetahuan, dan pengalaman antara MSD dan Bio Farma yang akan bermuara pada peningkatan kesehatan dan kualitas hidup masyarakat Indonesia.”

Dalam mendukung implementasi program imunisasi HPV, MSD juga berkolaborasi dengan Kementerian Kesehatan serta organisasi profesi lintas sektor lainnya untuk melakukan edukasi tentang penyakit kanker serviks dan pentingnya imunisasi HPV melalui kegiatan Disease Awareness Program kepada tenaga medis, tenaga kesehatan dan masyarakat awam.

Direktur Utama Bio Farma, Shadiq Akasya, mengungkapkan bahwa Bio Farma mendukung terlaksananya perluasan cakupan imunisasi HPV skala nasional dengan memastikan ketersediaan vaksin HPV 4-valen buatan Bio Farma yang di produksi di dalam negeri guna mendukung pemerintah mencapai target eliminasi kanker rahim pada tahun 2030.

“Bersama pemerintah, Bio Farma terus memastikan agar anak-anak Indonesia terlindungi dari penyakit kanker serviks, melalui imunisasi dengan jadwal dan dosis tertentu, untuk mencapai target eliminasi kanker leher rahim pada tahun 2030”.

Shadiq berharap agar masyarakat dan pemangku kepentingan lintas sektoral dapat berperan aktif dalam mengeliminasi kanker serviks melalui program imunisasi HPV nasional sehingga memiliki cakupan yang tinggi dan merata.

“Bio Farma bangga dapat berkontribusi dalam meningkatkan kesehatan masyarakat Indonesia dengan mengadirkan vaksin HPV 4-valen di Indonesia. Dengan adanya kolaborasi yang baik antar lembaga, baik dari pemerintah, lembaga kesehatan, NGO, dan industri, Bio Farma akan terus berinovasi menghasilkan produk – produk yang dapat meningkatkan kualitas kesehatan bangsa” papar Shadiq. Untuk mencapai target eliminasi kanker leher rahim pada tahun 2030, sejalan dengan target WHO, diharapkan agar masyarakat dan pemangku kepentingan lintas sektoral dapat berperan aktif dalam mengeliminasi kanker serviks melalui program imunisasi HPV nasional sehingga memiliki cakupan yang tinggi dan merata.

About MSD

At MSD, known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA in the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable, and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.msd.com and connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

About Bio Farma

PT Bio Farma (Persero) is the largest pharmaceutical state-owned holding in Indonesia engaged in health with end-to-end services, ranging from pharmaceutical research and development, manufacturing, and distribution, to the operation of retail pharmacies, clinics, and clinical laboratories. To support its business activities, Bio Farma has a head office and factory covering an area of 91,058 square meters in Bandung. The company also has a representative office in Jakarta. With a production capacity of more than 3.2 billion vaccine doses per year. Bio Farma has received certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) and has exported its products to more than 150 countries. Bio Farma is the parent company of three pharmaceutical issuers on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), namely PT Kimia Farma Tbk (KAEF), PT Indofarma Tbk (INAF). For more information, visit: www.biofarma.co.id.