Beginning in 2026, Ukraine will introduce free vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) for girls aged 12-13.

This initiative will be part of the national vaccination schedule, as announced by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

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

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

The free single dose of HPV vaccination for girls is implemented in 75 countries. Overall, HPV vaccination is included in national immunization programs in 149 countries worldwide.

It is recommended to receive the vaccination before the onset of sexual activity to ensure maximum effectiveness.

"Vaccination is not just a health issue; it’s a matter of fairness. We want 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 public procurement policies can save lives," emphasized Oleg Klyots, the CEO of Medical Procurements of Ukraine.

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