In 2026, Ukraine will introduce 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 the American company Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD). The first batches of the vaccine are expected to arrive in Ukraine by the end of 2025, after which they will be distributed across various regions.

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

Free HPV vaccination for girls is already conducted in 75 countries worldwide. Overall, HPV vaccination is included in national immunization programs in 149 countries.

It is recommended to get vaccinated before the onset of sexual activity to ensure the highest effectiveness of the vaccine.

"Vaccination is not only a health issue but also a matter of justice. We aim to provide equal access to serious disease prevention for every child in Ukraine.

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 only applies to 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 material.