Changes to the National Vaccination Calendar in Ukraine
Starting from 2026, changes to the National Preventive Vaccination Calendar will come into effect in Ukraine, which include the addition of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. These innovations aim to improve public health protection and reduce the risk of various infectious diseases.
New Vaccination Schedule
According to the new changes, HPV vaccination will be carried out for girls aged 12-13 years. In addition, the National Vaccination Calendar includes vaccines against the following diseases:
- tuberculosis
- hepatitis B
- measles
- mumps
- rubella
- polio
- diphtheria
- tetanus
- whooping cough
- Hib infection
The changes also provide that the dose of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) will be administered at 4 years instead of 6 years.
Furthermore, Ukraine will transition to the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), which is an important step in ensuring vaccination effectiveness. The new hepatitis B vaccination schedule includes administering the vaccine at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months, which reduces the number of injections for children. All new vaccines have already been purchased with state budget funds, ensuring vaccination accessibility for all children in Ukraine.
These changes in the vaccination calendar highlight the importance of preventing infectious diseases and the government's commitment to improving public health.
The introduction of the HPV vaccine is a significant step in the fight against infectious diseases, as HPV is one of the main risk factors for cervical cancer.
Changes concerning other vaccinations also reflect Ukraine's aspiration to improve the healthcare system, ensure timely vaccination for children, and reduce the incidence of dangerous diseases. This can positively impact the overall health of the population and reduce the burden on the healthcare system in the future.