Starting from 2026, the vaccination calendar will change in Ukraine: what will become mandatory.

According to ТСН: Starting from 2026, an updated National Vaccination Calendar will be implemented in Ukraine, which includes a new mandatory vaccine and changes the administration times for some vaccines to align with European practices.

HPV: free vaccination 'against cancer' for teenagers

The main change will be the addition of the vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) to the list of mandatory and free vaccinations.

HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer, which affects about 3,000 Ukrainian women each year, of whom about a thousand die. From next year, the state will start vaccinating girls aged 12-13 with a 9-valent vaccine that protects against the most dangerous strains of the virus. This vaccination will become mandatory and free from January 1, 2026. The experience of countries such as Australia, which have implemented similar programs, shows that mass vaccination significantly reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer.

Changes in the vaccination schedule for infants and children

In addition to vaccination against HPV, new vaccination schedules for other infectious diseases will be introduced, taking European practices into account:

• Against tuberculosis (BCG): Vaccinations will be conducted within 24 hours after birth, instead of the current 3-5 days.

• Against viral hepatitis B: The administration schedule is changing: vaccinations will occur at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months.

• Against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR): Vaccination will start at one year, but the second dose will be given earlier - at 4 years.

• Against poliomyelitis: Vaccination will only be conducted using the Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV), which contains killed virus, and the 14-year vaccination is canceled.

If you have already started vaccinating your child according to the old schedule and have questions about the changes, the pediatrician or family doctor can help adjust the individual vaccination schedule.

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Thus, the update of the National Vaccination Calendar is an important step in reducing the risk of diseases in children and youth. The introduction of the HPV vaccine underscores the state's commitment to combating oncological diseases and improving public health. Parents are advised to keep track of the changes in the vaccination schedule and consult with doctors to ensure timely vaccinations for their children.