Plan to Add HPV Vaccine to National Immunization Schedule

In January 2026, two important news items emerged: women in Russia gained access to DNA testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV) under the compulsory health insurance (OMS) system. It was included in the first stage of reproductive health 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. Journalist NGS.RU Maria Tishchenko learned from doctors 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 has it

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

Marina Katsun, obstetrician-gynecologist and ultrasound doctor at Invitro, 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, and so on). Carriers and transmitters of the virus can be both women and men. The most dangerous strains are considered to be 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 the test is positive, conduct an extended study: a PCR test for HPV. After age 30, everyone is recommended to take a PCR test every five years.

Including the HPV test in the OMS program, according to Marina Katsun, is significant: it will increase people«s awareness of their health status and, importantly, help expand early diagnosis and prevention of diseases caused by HPV.

«Including HPV testing in OMS and the HPV vaccine in the immunization calendar could potentially positively influence the prevention of some types of cancer,» the doctor believes.

On this issue, she added, the experience of Australia is indicative: there, the incidence of cervical cancer has been reduced to almost zero thanks to the wide availability of HPV testing and vaccination.

What vaccines exist

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

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

«Cervarix» is given according to different schemes depending on age: for adolescents 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 vaccination). «Cervarix» is given up to age 25.

On average, prices for «Gardasil» start from 10,000 rubles (approximately $111 at current rates) (a course of three doses may cost patients from 30,000 to 60,000 rubles, or about $333 to $667), for «Cervarix» — from 6,000 rubles (about $67).

What HPV tests are available

According to gynecologist Olesya Kholodova from the Zdraavitsa network of family medicine centers, until age 30, routine analysis for HPV DNA detection by PCR is not prescribed: the virus affects 100% of the planet«s population, 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, that is, leaves the body within one to two years, and a woman may not even know about the infection. Elimination depends on many factors and primarily on the status of the immune system,» 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 age 30. And even if HPV is detected before age 30, independent medical treatment to «treat» it is not prescribed.

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

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

Also, all women at any age with the onset of sexual life must обязательно conduct a cytological examination of smears (traditionally Pap test) or liquid-based cytology and undergo a gynecological examination once a year.

Is inclusion of the vaccine in the calendar realistic

«The topic is, of course, relevant. One aspect — is the oncological disease itself, cervical cancer, which in 90% [of cases] is caused by the HPV virus, mostly by types 16 and 18,» explained oncologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences Evgeny Cheremushkin. «The second aspect — is childbirth in the country, for which the struggle is being waged 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 each time the deadlines are postponed. In particular, it was planned for 2026, but so far, human papillomavirus vaccination is not included in the national calendar of preventive vaccinations of the Russian Federation. 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 that it will обязательно be added in 2027, as [it requires] a certain budget. It is not excluded that the deadlines may be shifted again,» believes Olesya Kholodova.

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

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

In Novosibirsk, such a program was many years ago, for it even vaccines were purchased, 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 the expiration date. Doctors preferred then, and this persists, unfortunately, now, under the pressure of big pharma to prescribe non-existent treatment and drugs that do not even have data on HPV in their indications,» noted Olesya Kholodova.

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