In Odesa, a new program for vaccinating children against human papillomavirus (HPV) is being actively implemented, funded by the city budget.
Vaccination of children and adolescents against HPV effectively helps prevent various diseases, including cancers, in adulthood.
This vaccination is a key part of global standards for preventing the most common forms of cancer associated with the papillomavirus. In Odesa, this preventative measure is carried out within the framework of the City Target Program “Health”.
The first vaccinations under this program were conducted in October 2023. Since then, over 4500 children have received vaccinations, of which about 2200 have received the first dose, and another 2300 have completed the full two-dose vaccination course.
Currently, the program provides free vaccinations for girls and boys aged 9 to 14. This protocol may be adjusted in the future, as the Ministry of Health of Ukraine plans to include mandatory HPV vaccination in the National Vaccination Calendar for specific population categories starting next year. Therefore, doctors advise parents not to delay and to consult their pediatrician for vaccination appointments.
Odesa is the only city in Ukraine where free vaccinations against the papillomavirus are offered to children with gender equality—both girls and boys.
The experience of our city in organizing HPV vaccinations for children and implementing the pilot project “Odesa Against Cancer” has received high praise at the national level.
