In Odesa, a groundbreaking vaccination program for children against human papillomavirus (HPV) is underway, funded by the city budget.

Vaccination against HPV in children and adolescents effectively prevents future oncological and other reproductive system diseases.

Childhood HPV vaccination is a global standard for preventing the most common types of cancer associated with the papillomavirus. In Odesa, this initiative is part of the City Target Program “Health.”

The first vaccinations under this program were administered in October 2023. Since then, over 4500 children have received the vaccine, with approximately 2200 children receiving their first dose, and another 2300 completing the full two-dose vaccination course.

Currently, the program offers free vaccinations for girls and boys aged 9-14. This policy may be adjusted as the Ministry of Health of Ukraine plans to include mandatory HPV vaccinations for specific population categories in the National Vaccination Calendar starting next year. Therefore, doctors advise parents of children in this age group not to delay in consulting with their pediatrician for vaccinations.

Odesa is the only city in Ukraine where children are vaccinated against the papillomavirus for free, ensuring gender equality — both girls and boys receive the vaccine.

The experience of our city in organizing HPV vaccinations for children and implementing the pilot project “Odesa Against Cancer” has received high praise from experts at the national level.