Jakarta. Minister of Health Nila F. Moeloek said that three vaccines which were originally scheduled to be released this year are still being tested for their usefulness and benefits.

The Ministry of Health announced earlier that it will implement a vaccination program in 2017 for measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR; Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus; and human papillomavirus, or HPV.

“The cervix cancer vaccine [HPV] is currently being tested in Jakarta, so we’ll see,” Nila said, as quoted by Antara news agency on Tuesday (17/01) in Jakarta.

She added that vaccines are selected by the level of immunity it creates. This is because the government prioritizes vaccines which have the maximum benefits and immunity.

“[The government is also concerned with] the costs involved and if we can prevent the virus from spreading – we need to take that into account,” Nila said.

The ministry will also be working with the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency, or BPOM, to avoid counterfeit vaccines in circulation.

The MMR vaccine will replace its older version, while pneumococcus is aimed at preventing acute respiratory infections. HPV will be used to prevent cervical cancer and will be also available for children.