Starting in 2026, free vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) will be available for girls aged 12-13 in Ukraine for the first time.

This initiative is part of the national vaccination calendar, 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 "Gardasil" vaccine 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 carry a high oncogenic risk.

Free single-dose HPV vaccination for girls is available in 75 countries. Overall, HPV vaccination is included in national immunization programs in 149 countries worldwide.

The vaccination is recommended before the onset of sexual activity, as it will be most effective in this case.

"Vaccination is not just a health issue but also a matter of fairness. We strive for equal access to the prevention of serious diseases 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.

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