From 2026, free vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) will appear in Ukraine, which will become part of the National Vaccination Calendar. This step is important in the fight against cervical cancer, as vaccination was previously only available on a commercial basis.
This was announced by Deputy Minister of Health Igor Kuzin during a briefing. According to him, the introduction of the HPV vaccine in Ukraine is a breakthrough, as it will now be available to the general population, including children and adults, who can be protected from oncogenic types of the virus.
"This is a very important step, because cervical cancer is a serious problem for Ukraine. Vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of developing this type of cancer," Kuzin explained.
In addition, the Ministry of Health plans to introduce multicomponent vaccines that will allow one injection to protect against several diseases. This will greatly simplify the vaccination process, reducing the number of visits to doctors and reducing the burden on the medical system.
Vaccination schedules for different age groups will also be updated, the age for BCG and CPC vaccinations will be revised, and combined vaccines will be introduced.
As the chief sanitary doctor explained, it will take some time to implement these changes. The vaccine procurement process takes from 9 months, so changes to the vaccination schedule are planned to be implemented from January 1, 2026 to ensure proper training and education of health workers.
In particular, the National Vaccination Calendar will be updated taking into account international recommendations and positions of the National Technical Group of Experts on Immunoprophylaxis. All comments and suggestions regarding the draft order of the Ministry of Health "On making changes to the Calendar of preventive vaccinations in Ukraine" can be sent to the department.
