Women's Solidarity Committees protest at Ministry of Health for HPV vaccine: 'Free vaccination is our right'

The Women's Solidarity Committees (KDK) held a protest in front of the Ministry of Health, demanding that the HPV vaccine be included in the national vaccination schedule and provided free of charge. The KDK reacted to the recent statements made by Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu regarding the HPV vaccine and called for equal and free access to preventive healthcare services.

Gathering in front of the Ministry, KDK members delivered messages such as "Free HPV vaccine is our right," "Health is a right, it cannot be sold," and "Women's lives cannot be left to the market." During the protest, slogans such as "Shoulder to shoulder against darkness" and "Women will not bow down to you" were also chanted.

In the statement made by the KDK, it was emphasized that the HPV vaccine has long been demanded as part of women's right to health. The statement said, "We do not accept that the market, rather than science, preventive healthcare services, and the needs of society, should be the determining factor in an issue that concerns women's lives."

Women's lives are more valuable than corporate profits. A free HPV vaccine is our right; health is a right, it cannot be sold.

In the statement, the Ministry of Health was addressed with the words, "You cannot take a step back on women's health. You cannot speak for science one day and deny it the next. You cannot say 'domestic production' first and then say 'it is not necessary'."

'GAINS ARE BEING THREATENED BY ANTI-SCIENTIFIC STATEMENTS'

Speaking on behalf of the KDK at the protest, TKP Ankara Provincial Chair Banu Ünver stated that they had previously fought in the streets and in the legal arena for the free administration of the HPV vaccine. Ünver noted that the Ministry of Health announced in 2022 that it had put the HPV vaccine on its agenda, and that Minister Memişoğlu stated in June 2025 that the vaccine would be included in the national vaccination program.

Criticizing the Ministry's recent stance, Ünver said, "They are trying to eliminate the gains we have achieved with anti-scientific, irrational statements on an issue where they gave promises and which causes the deaths of thousands of women."

In the KDK's statement, it was stated that preventive healthcare services against HPV-related diseases should be strengthened, and it was demanded that vital products such as vaccines and medicines should not be left to market conditions. Ünver also said that the Ministry must take immediate action to include the vaccine in the free national program.

Criticizing the government's health policies, Ünver argued that curative services are prioritized over preventive healthcare services. She stated, "Preventing diseases and protecting health is cheaper; vaccination is cheaper, but treating is more expensive."

The KDK announced that they would continue their demand for the free administration of the HPV vaccine by calling on women to come together in neighborhoods, workplaces, universities, and hospitals.

News Source: 12punto