The National Network for Children is pleased to announce the adoption of the National Primary Prevention Program for Cancers Caused by the Human Papilloma Virus HPV 2025-2030 which provides the opportunity to prevent the incidence of HPV by vaccinating the population and preventing cervical cancer and other cancers caused by the virus.
The program is aligned with the European Immunization Program 2030, as well as the national health priorities of the National Cancer Plan 2027 and the National Health Strategy 2030.
According to data from the 2024 Scorecard, Bulgaria ranks last in HPV vaccination coverage, with only 1% of all vaccines being vaccinated. Statistics also show that our country is second in Europe in mortality from HPV-related diseases, while cervical cancer is almost eradicated in several countries. Bulgaria has failed to achieve the WHO recommendations of over 95% coverage of mandatory vaccines. Misinformation, fake news, and the lack of a national information program remain the main obstacles to increasing vaccine coverage.
One of the main reasons for the low vaccination coverage in Bulgaria is broken trust, explains Plamena Nikolova, Head of Early Learning at Rise Bulgaria Foundation, a member of the National Network for Children and part of the Bulgarian HPV Coalition. The coalition is actively working to raise awareness among parents and the public. “It is not only doctors who need to talk about the benefits of the vaccine, it is also important that parents, teachers, and even the children themselves are informed,” Nikolova told Maiko Mila in an interview. Plamena is a colleague with whom we are actively working to overcome misinformation around the facts surrounding the vaccine.
Cervical cancer is a preventable disease!
In this country, the HPV vaccine is free for girls aged 10-14 (before the age of 15) and boys aged 10-13 will soon be able to be vaccinated in 2025-2028. 14-year-old boys will have the opportunity to be vaccinated in 2029-2030.
According to the Ministry of Health, girls aged 15-17 will have the opportunity to be vaccinated from 2026-2028, and women aged 18-21 will also be able to be included in the 2029-2030 period.
Any GP can administer the vaccine you only need to request it!
