Ukraine adds HPV vaccine to the national immunization schedule

Girls in Ukraine aged 12-13 are being offered a single dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for the first time, as part of the country's national immunization schedule.

Amid the ongoing war, the HPV vaccine is the first vaccine to be added to the country's national immunization schedule in nearly 2 decades.

By 1 March 2026, almost 2 months after the vaccine's introduction, 47 500 girls, around 11% of the planned cohort for the first year, had already been vaccinated. The goal is to reach around half of all eligible girls in the country by the end of 2026, with plans to expand to include other age groups in the future.

"I was looking forward to the opportunity to vaccinate my daughter because I had been aware of this vaccine for a long time and had heard positive comments. So, I was delighted when our family doctor called me and invited my daughter to get the HPV shot. This vaccine is much-needed for girls because it prevents cancer," says Olena, mother of 13-year-old Sofia, who has just been vaccinated against HPV.

A strategic response to cervical cancer

Cervical cancer remains a major public health concern for women in Ukraine, with about 3000 new cases and up to 1100 deaths reported annually. That is why Ukraine is taking a systematic approach to combatting this disease.

The introduction of the HPV vaccine follows the approval by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 2 national strategies: the National Immunization Strategy and the Cancer Control Strategy.

First, the National Immunization Strategy aligns with WHO's European Immunization Agenda 2030 and aims to strengthen immunization coverage, control vaccine-preventable diseases, and restore primary health care services disrupted by COVID-19 and the ongoing war. The new strategy also includes an updated national immunization schedule.

Secondly, the Cancer Control Strategy provides for the adoption of a multi-level system of measures for the prevention of malignant neoplasms.

The preparation and rollout of the HPV vaccination campaign took place under unprecedented conditions. Since the start of the ongoing war, more than 2880 attacks on health-care facilities, the loss of over 600 health-care workers, widespread power outages and constant shelling have severely affected the delivery of health services.

Modernizing the national immunization programme

Alongside the introduction of the HPV vaccine, the updated national immunization schedule in Ukraine includes a transition to inactivated polio vaccine only, thereby discontinuing use of oral polio vaccine.

It also includes an earlier second dose of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, targeted use of hepatitis B vaccine at birth for high-risk groups, and wider use of combination vaccines to reduce the number of clinic visits and injections needed to receive all recommended vaccinations.

WHO has played a key role in supporting the country's readiness for updating the national immunization schedule.

Together with the Ministry of Health and partners, WHO supported developing an operational introduction plan, clinical guidance and catch-up recommendations, updates to vaccine safety practice, vaccine management and microplanning, communication, and a multisectoral coordination mechanism. Capacity-building efforts included preparing 202 regional trainers, who conducted trainings for 20 170 family doctors, paediatricians and nurses across all regions.

Additional support included the development and nationwide distribution of practical job aids, provision of online information materials, updates to digital vaccine reporting and stock management systems, technical assistance on vaccine composition and adverse events following immunization, and the development of a crisis communication plan.

"WHO has emphasized that sustained technical support will be critical to ensure the long-term success of the HPV vaccination programme. Strengthening routine immunization is our priority, and with the introduction of this new vaccine, Ukraine will be in position to prevent HPV-associated cancers," says Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine.

The nationwide introduction of the HPV vaccine and other updates to the national immunization schedule were made possible through the coordinated efforts of all partners in immunization, with the support of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.