From 2026, BCG vaccination for newborns will be conducted within 24 hours: what will change

Vaccination of Newborns in Ukraine

According to Главком: Starting from January 1, 2026, newborns in Ukraine will be vaccinated against tuberculosis (BCG) within 24 hours after birth. This innovation aims to simplify the vaccination process and speed up the protection of children against tuberculosis. Previously, BCG vaccination was performed on the 3rd to 5th day after birth, which could create certain difficulties in organization.

New Vaccination Rules

According to the new rules, BCG vaccination can be done simultaneously with other vaccines, allowing for the combination of vaccinations and reducing the number of visits to the doctor. Additionally, children can be vaccinated without prior tuberculin testing up to 7 months of age. For those children who did not receive the BCG vaccine at birth, vaccination at the state's expense will be possible until the age of 18, provided they have negative results from the Mantoux test or the QuantiFERON test.

Changes to the vaccination schedule will also affect other vaccinations. Thus, the vaccination schedules for the following will be updated:

• measles
• mumps
• rubella
• hepatitis B
• polio
• whooping cough
• tetanus
• diphtheria

Additionally, girls aged 12-13 will have the opportunity to receive free vaccination against HPV infection.

Oksana Moloda, a health care expert, stated: 'Conducting BCG vaccination for newborns immediately after birth or as soon as possible after birth is one of the key elements of the strategy to combat tuberculosis.'

She also emphasized that during military actions, there are often situations where new mothers are evacuated to other medical institutions due to 'shelling' in maternity hospitals, complicating the vaccination process.

These changes in vaccination reflect Ukraine's efforts to improve children's health, especially in conditions where the country faces challenges related to war. Faster access to vaccination may help reduce tuberculosis incidence among the young population, which is an important aspect of the overall health strategy. The updated vaccination schedules also highlight the aim to integrate different vaccinations, which may enhance the effectiveness of infectious disease prevention in Ukraine.