Innovative Vaccination Program for Children in Odesa
Odesa is actively implementing a new vaccination program for children against the human papillomavirus (HPV), financed by the city budget.
Vaccination of children and adolescents against HPV is a crucial step in preventing oncological and other reproductive health issues in adulthood.
Vaccination against HPV at a young age is a worldwide standard for preventing the most common types of cancer associated with the papillomavirus. In Odesa, this initiative is carried out under the City Target Program "Health".
The first HPV vaccinations in Odesa under the program were administered in October 2023. During this time, over 4500 children received vaccinations, with approximately 2200 children getting their first dose of the vaccine and another 2300 completing the full two-dose vaccination course.
Currently, the program provides free vaccinations for girls and boys aged 9 to 14 years. This arrangement may be revised, as the Ministry of Health of Ukraine plans to include mandatory HPV vaccinations in the National Vaccination Calendar for specific population groups starting next year. Therefore, medical professionals advise parents not to delay consulting and registering for HPV vaccinations with the pediatrician with whom they have a declaration.
Odesa has become the only city in Ukraine where children are vaccinated against the papillomavirus for free, ensuring gender equality for 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 acclaim from experts nationwide.
