2023-10-25 09:10:03
There were continued voices calling for expansion of the National Immunization Program (NIP) target in the National Assembly. In addition to the argument that the shingles vaccine should be added to the NIP, there were also opinions that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine should be expanded to male adolescents.
Representative Kim Young-ju of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee (Democratic Party of Korea, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul) pointed out the serious price difference of non-reimbursed shingles vaccine during a comprehensive government audit on the 25th and argued for the addition of NIP.
Rep. Kim said, “There are more than 700,000 shingles patients,” and “It is such a big concern that people are advised to get vaccinated and famous celebrities even advertise it, but because it is not covered, there is a huge burden on the public. It is also important to know which vaccine the people are receiving and to what extent. “I don’t know,” he said.
Current status of shingles vaccine supply price for the past three years (captured from National Assembly broadcast)
At the same time, “If you look at the cost of the shingles vaccine, some medical institutions charge from a minimum of 40,000 won to a maximum of 230,000 won for Zostase, and from 70,000 won to 400,000 won for Zostavax,” he said. “This year’s supply price is 94,000 to 180,000 won.” “Hospitals also receive 400,000 won from consumers. The government should take care of it,” he pointed out, suggesting the introduction of NIP and even reimbursement.
Representative Choi Young-hee (People Power Party) suggested that male vaccination should be included in the NIP target for the HPV vaccine. Currently, the HPV vaccine is provided free of charge to female adolescents aged 12 to 17 and low-income women aged 18 to 26.
Rep. Choi said, “The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said that the results of the study on expanding the HPV vaccine NIP target were not effective compared to cost-effectiveness, but I do not understand it.” He added, “It is said that no evaluation was conducted during the research process and it was left to the left. The first study is scheduled to start in 2021. “It was accomplished with a budget of 100 million won over the course of a year. Who is responsible for wasting even the opportunity to improve the quality of national health?” he asked.
The government responded to the lawmakers’ claims that it would review it.
Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Gyu-hong said, “We will investigate the cause of the significant difference in the price of the shingles vaccine. We will review the issue of reimbursement because it has medical necessity and financial efficiency.”
Director Ji Young-mi of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, which oversees the introduction of NIP for vaccines, said, “We are evaluating shingles for NIP introduction. We will proceed as quickly as possible according to the research results. We are also improving the method of purchasing vaccines. Prices are well established.” “I think it will work,” he said.
He continued, “In the second research service to expand the HPV vaccine NIP, various variables were added,” and “variables were added because the new vaccine, Shingrix, was also introduced. By adding various factors, we were able to produce different results than before.” “There is. We will consider adding it to the NIP program as soon as the results come out,” he said.
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