Including HPV virus disease in the compulsory immunization list, people have more opportunities for prevention

Increase early access opportunities

Recently, the Ministry of Health issued Circular 13/2026/TT-BYT regulating vaccination activities, effective from July 1, 2026. Notably, according to the Circular, in the list of diseases that must use vaccines and biological products in compulsory vaccination through the activities of the Expanded Program on Immunization, there are diseases caused by HPV virus (Human Papilloma Virus) in humans.

This information is expected to contribute to removing the cost burden, creating equal conditions for people to receive sexual health care and reducing the number of cases in the future.

Actively learning information and registering for HPV vaccination from the age of 18, Nguyen Khanh Ly (19 years old, Thach That commune, Hanoi City) shared: "I used to think HPV was a problem quite far away for young people. But after learning about the risk of cervical cancer, I decided to get vaccinated to protect my health early. Recently, when I learned that the disease caused by the HPV virus was about to be included in the expanded immunization program, I was very happy because more people will have access to this vaccine line.

Sharing the same view, Nguyen Thi Linh Trang (21 years old, Phu Dien ward, Hanoi) believes that the fact that young people actively vaccinate themselves today is a very positive sign. However, the major barrier for the majority is still economic issues.

For students or working families, this is a cost that needs to be weighed. Therefore, if included in the expanded immunization program, the cost burden will be eliminated, creating conditions for everyone to access it early and prevent diseases better," Linh Trang confided.

Double benefits from early and widespread vaccination

From a professional perspective, MScKI Le Thi Giao Thi (pharmaceutical system and Long Chau Vaccination Center), said that the Ministry of Health recommends HPV vaccination at the age of 11-12, because this is the stage when children have not been exposed to the virus through sex. Thanks to that, the immune system creates the strongest antibodies and achieves optimal disease prevention effectiveness.

Children aged 9-14 only need to be vaccinated with 2 doses 6 months apart. Meanwhile, if vaccinated after 14 years old, vaccinators will need 3 doses within 6 months to achieve equivalent protection effectiveness. Vaccination is getting vaccinated earlier, especially in the 9-14 age group, which helps improve disease prevention efficiency, protect the body early and save costs by reducing one dose," BSCKI Le Thi Giao Thi shared.

According to Specialist Doctor Le Thi Giao Thi, early HPV vaccination will contribute to reducing the burden of cervical cancer through many important mechanisms. First of all, vaccines help prevent the risk of infection with high-risk HPV strains from the beginning. At the same time, vaccines significantly reduce pre-cervical cancer lesions, thereby limiting the risk of developing cancer later.

In addition, when the vaccination rate in the community is large enough, it will create community immunity, helping to reduce the circulation of HPV virus throughout society. These mechanisms have been clearly demonstrated through many biological studies, epidemiological models and actual data in countries implementing widespread HPV vaccination," BSCKI Le Thi Giao Thi explained.

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