HPV Immunisation Coverage for Year Five Boys Reaches 88%

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Health said routine immunisation data as of 25 October 2026 showed that HPV (human papillomavirus) immunisation coverage among Year Five boys had reached 88 per cent, with two provinces exceeding the 90 per cent target.

Indri Yogyaswari, the ministry’s director of immunisation, said in Jakarta on Thursday that the two provinces were Bali, at 97.7 per cent, and Yogyakarta, at 93.5 per cent. Jakarta recorded coverage of 82.5 per cent, she said.

HPV immunisation coverage among Year Five girls in 2026 stood at 83.5 per cent, with 12 provinces meeting the target. These included Bengkulu, Banten, North Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, West Java and Yogyakarta.

“That is why we have expanded the target group for HPV vaccination beyond girls to include boys as well. Both can be protected. This reflects a basic principle of health: there must be equal access and equity, not just for one gender,” Indri said.

The ministry will therefore extend HPV vaccination for boys to three more provinces: West Java, Central Java and Banten.

“Next year, we will expand HPV immunisation for 11-year-old boys to six provinces,” she said.

Indri said challenges remained, including concerns about adverse events following immunisation (AEFI), claims that the HPV vaccine causes infertility or autism, and natural disasters and other conditions that disrupt access to vaccination and its schedule.

Aji Muhawarman, head of the Ministry of Health’s Bureau of Public Communication and Information, said GLOBOCAN 2022 estimates showed that Indonesia faces more than 408,000 new cancer cases each year. Around 37,000 Indonesian women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and more than 20,000 die from the disease annually.

Prof. Dr. dr. Hindra Irawan Satari, chair of the National Commission on Adverse Events Following Immunisation (Komnas KIPI), said HPV vaccination was best given to children as they enter puberty, between the ages of nine and 12, when they begin to be at risk of infection.

“For 15 to 20 years, there may be no symptoms. Then cervical cancer appears. During that symptom-free period, the person feels fine; after 15 to 20 years, they may arrive with Stage 3 cancer,” Prof. Hindra said.