MSD seeks to expand NIP subjects for Gardasil

to include men in the National Immunization Program…actively promotes the need through social media marketing activities

Emphasize the need for men and women to be vaccinated together

Aiming to 'kill two birds with one stone' by building awareness of the need for male vaccinations

With the aim of expanding coverage of its human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine within the National Immunization Program (NIP), MSD Korea has been working to improve its vaccine awareness.

 

Expanding NIP coverage of the HPV vaccine is one of the hot topics on the government's agenda.

 

In fact, it was ranked the third-most important task in the 'Establishing a Mid- to Long-term Plan for the National Immunization Program' study.

 

MSD Korea

However, the fact that the government has set limits on the cost and subject is acting as an obstacle.

 

According to the study, the issues discussed expanding NIP coverage to 'vaccination of girls under 12 years of age with Gardasil 9' and 'vaccination of boys under 12 years of age'.

 

In the study, expanding vaccination of Gardasil 9 to 12-year-old girls ranked third in the overall priority list.

 

However, vaccinating 12-year-old boys with Gardasil 9 was set as the sixth priority.

 

The researchers differentiated the priority for the same vaccine by subject.

 

Against this backdrop, MSD Korea has been emphasizing the need for HPV vaccination in both boys and girls At a conference held in late May, MSD Korea mentioned that 33 out of the 38 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries (as of April 24, 2014) have introduced NIP for male HPV vaccinations.

 

Sei-Young Lee, Professor of Otolaryngology and Head-and-Neck Surgery at Chung-Ang University Hospital, said, "In men, HPV-related cancers and diseases on the rise globally, and their effect in increasing disease burden and reducing the quality of life are being undermined.

 

Korea's male HPV vaccination rate is in the single digits, which is far below that of Australia and the United Kingdom, which have been actively carrying out HPV prevention programs." In this situation, MSD Korea is trying to build awareness of the need through social media activities.

 

In addition to the top-down approach of emphasizing the need for HPV vaccination through pharmaceutical companies and academic communities, MSD is also working on a bottom-up approach, increasing awareness of the need for Garadsil’s coverage through NIP amongst vaccine recipients.

 

The company has been promoting the need for HPV vaccination through social media outlets that are occupied by young people during the back-to-school season, coming-of-age day, etc.

 

The key message is that both men and women need to be vaccinated.

 

Pic of Gardasil 9

An industry official said, "The ultimate aim for most vaccines is to be included in the NIP, so MSD Korea is constantly knocking on the door for expanded NIP coverage for Gardasil 9.

 

Awareness-raising activities can be cumbersome as even social media posts are subject to advertising review, but the company seems to have recognized the need to increase awareness." According to the drug research institution IQVIA, Gardasil 9’s sales grew to KRW 72.6 billion in 2021, and to KRW 117 billion in 2022, then fell to KRW 106.4 billion last year.

 

If the NIP is only applied to HPV vaccines vaccinated to women, and the product is switched to Gardasil 9, its sales could further decrease due to lowered supply prices.

 

In other words, apart from including male HPV vaccinations in the NIP, the company would need to build awareness of its needs.

 

An industry insider said, "If Gardasil 9 is included in the NIP, the government’s supply price will have to be lower than the current market price.

 

If the NIP vaccination covers boys, the reduced price will be offset by the increased coverage.

 

Even if MSD's best-case scenario of expanding coverage to both genders does not become realized, improving awareness would be essential for sales."