From this year, a free vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV) is provided for girls aged 15 to 18 who have not reached their 19th birthday, as the age limit was previously lower. This was announced by the press office of the Ministry of Health.
The vaccine is provided within the framework of the National Program for Primary Prevention of Cancers Caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 2025-2030, as until now, immunization was possible for girls aged 10 to 15 who have not reached their 16th birthday and for boys aged 10 to 14 who have not reached their 15th birthday. HPV immunization is recommended and is administered at the request of a parent/guardian by general practitioners, pediatricians, and obstetricians-gynecologists working under the program.
In children under 15 years of age, two doses of the HPV vaccine are administered (with an interval of 6-12 months between them). In girls aged 15 years and older, three doses of the vaccine are administered (with an interval of 1-6 months between the first and second dose and 3-6 months between the second and third dose). Immunization is considered complete after the required number of doses for the respective age has been administered.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted viral infection and is the main cause of cervical cancer and a possible cause of other oncological diseases in women and men. Immunization against HPV is effective and safe, the press office added.
The National Program for Primary Prevention of Cancers Caused by the Human Papillomavirus 2025 – 2030 was adopted by the Council of Ministers in April 2025.