Govt Confirms BIAS to Continue; Adverse Event in Karo Ruled Unrelated to HPV Vaccine

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Health has confirmed that the School-Based Immunization Month (BIAS) program will proceed as scheduled. This decision follows an investigation and causality assessment regarding a reported serious Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) experienced by a female student in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, after receiving the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The decision was made after a joint team concluded that the incident had no causal link to the administered vaccine.

A field investigation was conducted on August 16, 2026, by the MoH Directorate of Immunization, the National Committee for AEFI (Komnas KIPI) Secretariat, the North Sumatra Provincial Health Office, the North Sumatra Regional Committee for AEFI (Komda KIPI), and the Karo Regency Health Office. Four days later, on August 20, 2026, Komnas KIPI, together with Komda KIPI North Sumatra and local health authorities, held a causality assessment to determine the exact cause of the student's condition.

According to an official statement received on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, the assessment concluded that the incident was classified as "inconsistent (coincidental)." This means the condition was not caused by the vaccine but was instead related to an underlying illness unrelated to the vaccination. The diagnosis was meningoencephalitis, which is inflammation of the membranes and brain tissue, based on the clinical course of high fever, decreased consciousness, seizures, and coma.

The Chairperson of Komnas KIPI, Prof. Dr. Hindra Irawan Satari, explained that this conclusion was reached following an investigation and assessment process involving various relevant parties. "Based on the assessment results, the AEFI was classified as inconsistent or coincidental. This means that, based on available data and evidence, the incident experienced was not caused by the HPV vaccine," he stated.

Regarding the technical aspects of the program's implementation, the investigation team found no errors concerning the type of vaccine used or the method of administration. The vaccine was administered intramuscularly at the prescribed 0.5 ml dose, using a product from batch number 40103725 with an expiration date of August 24, 2027. Cold chain monitoring confirmed that storage conditions met standards; no expired vaccines, physical damage, or signs of freezing were detected.

Dr. Indri Yogyaswari, the Ministry of Health’s Director of Immunization, emphasized that children's safety remains the priority in every immunization drive and that any report of a suspected serious Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) is invariably followed up with an investigation based on clinical data and scientific evidence. "Immunization is a public health measure proven effective in protecting children against vaccine-preventable diseases. Therefore, the BIAS program will continue according to schedule and applicable regulations," she stated, adding that the vaccines used have undergone evaluation and oversight by the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) and are continuously monitored through the AEFI surveillance system.

In line with the study's findings, the North Sumatra Provincial Health Office is strengthening guidance and mentoring for healthcare workers to ensure they understand immunization SOPs, from target screening to AEFI management, including ensuring the availability of AEFI Kits and a referral system for emergencies. The Ministry of Health, together with local governments, calls upon parents, schools, healthcare workers, and the general public to continue supporting the BIAS program to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.