Indonesia Creates Cervical Cancer Vaccine with Efficacy of up to 100%

Dream - Indonesia successfully created Nusagard, a vaccine for preventing cervical cancer (HPV) which is said to have a high level of efficacy. The first vaccine in the country was developed by the Pharmaceutical State-Owned Enterprises Holding, namely PT Bio Farma, PT Kimia Farma, and PT Indofarma, in collaboration with Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD).

Head of the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (POM), Penny K. Lukito, said that the efficacy of the Nusagard vaccine reaches 95 to 100 percent. Efficacy refers to the ability of the vaccine to provide benefits to vaccinated individuals.

"Based on the evaluation of the circulation permit for the Nusagard vaccine, it gives very good hope. The vaccine provides 95 to 100 percent protection efficacy and can last for 10-12 years. It has been proven to prevent cancer in women aged 9 to 45," said Penny as quoted from Merdeka.com, Thursday, August 3, 2023.

Not Yet Available for Sale

Penny stated that the Nusagard vaccine is planned to be used in the National Immunization Program in 2023. This program targets 2.9 million children in the 5th and 6th grades of elementary school (SD).

"The presence of the Nusagard HPV vaccine is expected to inspire other collaborations so that more types of vaccines can be produced domestically and support Indonesia's aspirations for self-reliance," said Penny.

In addition to obtaining circulation permits, the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (POM) affirmed that it will be involved in the supervision of the use of Nusagard in the National Immunization Program in August 2023.

Obtaining Circulation Permit

The President Director of Bio Farma, Shadiq Akasya, said that the launch of the Nusagard vaccine is the company's effort towards a generation free from cervical cancer.

"Bio Farma is here to provide accessibility, ensuring easy and affordable access to services related to cervical cancer, from detection to vaccination," said the President Director of Bio Farma, Shodiq.

The presence of Nusagard in Indonesia is the culmination of the collaboration between MSD and Bio Farma, which has been established since 2016. The successful transfer of the 4-valent HPV vaccine technology from MSD to Bio Farma has resulted in the first locally produced HPV vaccine in Indonesia.

"We hope to witness Nusagard become part of the national HPV immunization program this August," concluded Shodiq.