From 2026, girls aged 12-13 in Ukraine will have access to free vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) for the first time.

This initiative is part of the national vaccination schedule, as reported by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

The state enterprise "Medical Procurements of Ukraine" has already signed a contract to purchase the nine-valent vaccine "Gardasil" from the company Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD). The first shipments of the vaccine are expected in Ukraine by the end of 2025, after which it will be distributed to various regions.

The nine-valent vaccine protects against the nine most common types of HPV, seven of which have a high oncogenic risk.

Free vaccination against HPV for girls is implemented in 75 countries as part of the national immunization calendar. Overall, HPV vaccination is included in national immunization programs in 149 countries worldwide.

Vaccination is recommended before the onset of sexual activity to ensure maximum effectiveness.

"Vaccination is not just a health issue, but also a matter of fairness. We aim for every child in Ukraine to have equal access to the prevention of serious diseases.

The procurement of the HPV vaccine is another example of how smart policies in public procurement can save lives," emphasized Oleg Klyots, the CEO of Medical Procurements of Ukraine.

While this initiative specifically targets girls, teenage boys should also consider getting vaccinated against HPV. We have explained why it is important for men to be vaccinated and what diseases this virus can cause in our article.