Beginning in 2026, Ukraine will offer free vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) for girls aged 12-13 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 for the purchase of the nine-valent vaccine "Gardasil" from Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD). The first shipments of the vaccine are expected to arrive 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 single-dose HPV vaccinations for girls are already implemented in 75 countries. In total, HPV vaccination is included in national immunization programs in 149 countries worldwide.

The vaccination is recommended before the onset of sexual activity to ensure the vaccine's maximum effectiveness.

“Vaccination is not just a health issue but a matter of fairness. We aim to ensure that every child in Ukraine has equal access to the prevention of serious illnesses.

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

While this initiative targets only girls, teenage boys should also consider getting vaccinated against HPV. We explained why men need to be vaccinated against HPV and what diseases this virus can cause in our article.