Take-up rate of human papillomavirus vaccines by adults

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2349 
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 7 NOVEMBER 2023

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song 
MP for Aljunied GRC

Question No. 5185

To ask the Minister for Health (a) in each of the past five years, what was the take-up rate of human papillomavirus (HPV) (i) bivalent (ii) quadrivalent and (iii) 9-valent vaccines by adults aged between 18 and 64; and (b) whether the Ministry plans to (i) include HPV 9-valent vaccines under the National Adult Immunisation Schedule and (ii) provide subsidies and allow the use of MediSave for HPV 9-valent vaccines for those aged between 27 and 64 years.

Answer

1     The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is nationally recommended for females aged nine to 26 years for prevention of cervical cancer in females. No HPV vaccine has been approved by the Health Sciences Authority for use in persons older than 45 years.

2     The Ministry of Health does not have data on HPV vaccination by vaccine type across all ages. However, as HPV vaccination is offered to all Secondary One female students, our records show that in 2022, more than 90% of Secondary One female students have received the vaccine.      

3     The HPV 9-valent vaccine is currently not cost-effective when compared to the bivalent HPV vaccine, based on the pricing of the manufacturer. Hence, it is not included under the national immunisation schedules and is not eligible for subsidy or MediSave claims.