From July 1, 2026, HPV vaccine will be officially included in the National Expanded Program on Immunization.
The Ministry of Health has just issued Circular 13/2026/TT-BYT regulating vaccination activities, effective from July 1, 2026. A noteworthy point in the content of the Circular is to include HPV in the compulsory vaccination list from July 1, 2026.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a virus mainly transmitted through sexual contact with more than 100 different types. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HPV is the cause of almost all cervical cancer cases.
In addition, this virus is also related to many dangerous diseases such as vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer, pharyngeal cancer and genital warts.
In Vietnam, cervical cancer is currently among the most common cancers in women with thousands of new cases each year.
According to the roadmap of the Ministry of Health, HPV vaccine will be given free of charge to girls aged 9 to under 15 years old, depending on the implementation plan in each locality.
Vaccination will mainly be carried out in schools and public health facilities. This is the age group considered to have the highest protection effect because most have not been exposed to HPV.
The Ministry of Health will continue to announce detailed instructions on the vaccination schedule and scope of application in the near future.
Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be effectively prevented by vaccination and early screening.
WHO also recommends that countries increase the rate of HPV vaccination in girls to reduce the burden of disease in the future. Many countries implementing widespread immunization have recorded a decrease in the rate of HPV infection, precancerous lesions and cervical cancer.
Some studies show that HPV vaccine can prevent more than 90% of cervical cancer cases related to common high-risk HPV types.
Get vaccinated at the right age, with enough doses as directed, and continue to have cervical cancer screening periodically.
Post-vaccination reactions are usually mild such as pain at the injection site, mild fever or fleeting fatigue. There is currently no scientific evidence that HPV vaccine affects fertility.
The introduction of HPV vaccine into the Expanded Program on Immunization is expected to help many children have the opportunity to access free vaccines, contributing to reducing the risk of cervical cancer in the future.
