Requesting the refund of the cost of the HPV vaccine he received from the SGK Izmir Provincial Directorate Gizem Öykü BaşkayaAfter his request was rejected, he applied to Izmir 12th Labor Court. The court decided that the HPV vaccine cost of 4 thousand 531 lira should be paid to Başkaya with interest.
Gizem Öykü Başkaya had the first dose of the HPV vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer, on July 4, 2023, for 1,956 liras, and the second dose on July 20, 2023, for 2,575 liras. Başkaya, who paid a total of 4 thousand 531 liras for two doses, applied to the Social Security Institution Izmir Provincial Directorate Alsancak Health Social Security Center on August 21, 2023, along with his invoices, for a refund. The institution decided to reject the request on September 6. Thereupon, Başkaya applied to the Izmir 12th Labor Court.
It was reminded that it is a Constitutional obligation for HPV vaccines to be covered by SSI.
In Başkaya’s petition, it was stated that SSI neglected its obligations and violated citizens’ social security rights by not including the HPV vaccine in the National Vaccination Calendar. Reminding that it is a Constitutional obligation for HPV vaccines to be covered by SSI in accordance with the right to life and health arising from the Constitution, the petition stated that “The State is obliged to take protective measures for individuals and establish a functional mechanism against such a vital and potentially dangerous disease.”
In the case heard on April 25, 2024, Başkaya said that he repeated his wish and requested the refund of the vaccine fee, while the SSI attorney stated that the case was unfounded and should be rejected.
The court ruled in the case where Başkaya requested the refund of the HPV vaccination fee. The court ruled that the HPV vaccine cost of 4 thousand 531 liras be paid to Başkaya with legal interest.
Health Minister Koca promised that the HPV vaccine would be free, but it was not fulfilled
Minister of Health Fahrettin Kocaannounced on November 24, 2022, during the discussions of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Planning and Budget Commission, that they had started work to implement the HPV vaccine. Koca said that a domestic HPV vaccine will be produced in the long term on November 10, 2023. “HPV vaccinations will start in a short time, negotiations with companies for supply continue. “We want support from those who produce the demand in order to strengthen our hand in bargaining with companies,” he said. Koca promised that the HPV vaccine would be administered free of charge in November 2022, but this promise has still not been fulfilled.
