2022 Volume 19 Pages 1-16
It is definitely considered that human papillomavirus (HPV) is major risk factor for cervical cancer. The prophylactic vaccine for HPV infection was developed in an attempt to prevent cervical cancer. Due to 2013 Act to Revise the Preventive Vaccination Act, HPV infection was designated as category A diseases (formerly category I diseases). The recipient of a vaccination must endeavor to undergo the routine vaccination against HPV infection. The mayor of the municipality or the prefectural governor is to recommend the routine vaccination against HPV infection to the recipient. The council on Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) contributed to 2013 Amending Act. The aim of this paper is to examine how HPV vaccination was incorporated into the routine vaccination program, based on the specification of HPV vaccination in the council in terms of the sociology of science: boundary work. Boundary work is to draw the lines between valid and questionable evidence among different institutions: science, religion, public administration, judicial branch, and all. MHLW sought the council judgement on whether to designate HPV infection as category B diseases (formerly category II diseases). The council opposed the plan advocated by MHLW, on the grounds of the compensation paid for health damage caused by HPV vaccination. In order to designate HPV infection as category A diseases, MHLW had gone out of one’s way to change the very idea of it. The council meeting was the arena for detailed negotiation over the desirable HPV vaccination program, where boundary work occurred.
