HPV Vaccine Could Join National Immunization Calendar to Prevent Cancer

In January 2026, two important news items emerged: women in Russia gained access to HPV DNA testing under the compulsory health insurance (OMS). It became part of the first stage of reproductive screening for women aged 21 to 49. And in 2027, the HPV vaccine is planned to be made free — it should appear in the national immunization calendar. NGS journalist Maria Tishchenko learned from Novosibirsk gynecologists why these steps are so important, whether they will help prevent cancer, and how often all this needs to be done.

What is HPV and who gets it

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of viruses with over 200 strains. They can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, skin-to-skin contact, household routes, and from mother to child.

Obstetrician-gynecologist and ultrasound doctor at Invitro Marina Katsun noted that these viruses can live quietly in the human body for years and then cause complications: from papillomas and warts to oncological processes (cervical, vaginal, anal, penile cancer, etc.). Both women and men can be carriers and transmitters of the virus. The most dangerous strains are 16, 18, 30, 31, 33, 39, 40, 42, 43, 52, 55, 57–59, 61, 62, 67–70.

Marina Katsun emphasized that the first HPV test (oncocytology) should be taken three years after the start of sexual activity or at age 21 — whichever comes first. Then the test should be repeated every three years, and if positive, conduct an extended study: PCR test for HPV. After 30, everyone is recommended to take a PCR test every five years.

Inclusion of HPV testing in the OMS program, according to Marina Katsun, is significant: it will raise awareness of people«s health and, importantly, help expand early diagnosis and prevention of HPV-caused diseases.

«Inclusion of HPV testing in OMS and the HPV vaccine in the immunization calendar could potentially positively impact the prevention of some cancers,» the doctor believes.

On this issue, she added, Australia«s experience is indicative: there, cervical cancer incidence has been reduced to almost zero thanks to widely available HPV testing and vaccination.

What vaccines exist

Vaccination is effective for women up to 45 years, for men — up to 26 years. In Russia, two vaccines are available: Gardasil (protects against types 6, 11, 16, and 18) and Cervarix (against 16 and 18). Abroad, Gardasil-9 is also available against HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58.

There are two Gardasil vaccination schemes: classic — 0–2–6 months (from the first shot) and accelerated — 0–1–3 months (from the second shot). Gardasil can be administered up to age 45.

Cervarix is given according to different schemes depending on age: for teenagers under 14 — two doses (the second is given 5–13 months after the first), for people over 15 — 0–1–6 months (from the first shot). Cervarix is given up to age 25.

On average, prices for Gardasil start from 10,000 rubles (approximately $100 at current rates) — a course of three doses can cost patients from 30,000 to 60,000 rubles (approximately $300 to $600 at current rates), for Cervarix — from 6,000 rubles (approximately $60 at current rates).

What HPV tests are available

According to gynecologist Olesya Kholodova from the Zdravitsa family medicine center network, routine PCR testing for HPV DNA is not prescribed before age 30: 100% of the planet«s population is infected with the virus, transmission is sexual in 90% of cases, and sometimes one sexual contact is enough for infection.

«The peculiarity of the virus is that in most cases after entering the body, it self-eliminates, meaning it leaves the body within one to two years, and a woman may not even know she was infected. Elimination depends on many factors, primarily the immune system status,» the gynecologist explained.

For an oncological process to develop, from the moment of infection to tumor verification, at least 10 years must pass, so screening starts at 30. And even if HPV is detected before 30, independent medication to «treat» it is not prescribed.

«There is no cure for HPV — complete medication elimination of the virus is impossible. Prescription of a very narrow range of drugs is justified and considered only in case of destructive surgeries on the cervix,» Olesya Kholodova emphasized.

According to her, screening for all women aged 30 to 65 is co-testing (cytology / liquid-based cytology and HPV test) every five years. Depending on the presence of changes from co-testing, the tactics for timing and determining further doctor«s actions change.

Also, all women at any age with the start of sexual activity must have a cytological smear test (traditionally Pap test) or liquid-based cytology and a gynecological examination once a year.

Is inclusion of the vaccine in the calendar realistic?

«The topic is certainly relevant. One aspect is the oncological disease itself, cervical cancer, which in 90% [of cases] is caused by HPV, mostly types 16 and 18,» explained oncologist Yevgeny Cheremushkin, candidate of medical sciences. «The second aspect is childbirth in the country, which is being fought on all fronts. Everything related to vaccination can only be welcomed.»

Olesya Kholodova said that the issue of including HPV vaccination in the national immunization calendar has been considered for many years, but deadlines are repeatedly postponed. In particular, it was planned for 2026, but so far, human papillomavirus vaccination is not included in the Russian national preventive immunization calendar. The decision must be made at the legislative level.

«In 2027, the HPV vaccine may be added to the national immunization calendar and made free for the population, but this is not a final decision. May — does not mean it will definitely be added in 2027, as [it requires] a certain budget. It is possible that deadlines could be shifted again,» Olesya Kholodova believes.

Currently, getting vaccinated against HPV is only possible privately and for a fee. Under OMS, it is only possible within regional programs.

Now such a program, according to Olesya Kholodova, operates in Moscow and Moscow Oblast. In Moscow, since 2021, HPV vaccination has been included in the regional immunization calendar and is conducted free for girls aged 12–13 in children«s clinics at their place of attachment or in schools.

In Novosibirsk, such a program existed many years ago, and even vaccines were purchased for it, the doctor recalled.

«But due to the ignorance of most doctors on this issue, it was not prescribed to girls and was disposed of after expiration. Doctors preferred then, and this persists, unfortunately, now, under pressure from big pharma to prescribe non-existent treatments and drugs that don»t even have HPV in their indications,« Olesya Kholodova noted.

She emphasized that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), Russian and international experts, one of the most effective ways to prevent HPV infection is primary prevention, namely vaccination. Therefore, the doctor considers its inclusion in the national immunization calendar necessary.

Together with a Novosibirsk gynecologist we compiled a test: what do you know about the human papillomavirus?