Free HPV Vaccination for Teens in Ukraine

Beginning 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 announced 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 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 vaccination against HPV for girls is available in 75 countries. Overall, HPV vaccination is included in national immunization programs in 149 countries worldwide.

It is recommended to get vaccinated before the onset of sexual activity for maximum effectiveness.

"Vaccination is not only a health issue but also a matter of fairness. We aim for every child in Ukraine to have equal access to the prevention of serious diseases.

The procurement of the HPV vaccine is yet 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 is focused on girls, teenage boys are also encouraged to get vaccinated against HPV. We have explained why it is essential for men to be vaccinated against HPV and what diseases this virus can cause in our article.