Skip to main content
20-01-2023

Good news: all children will be protected free of charge against a dangerous viral infection

Iliustracija

As of 1 February, The Human Papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) will be available for all children aged 11 and over. The cost of the vaccine is covered by the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund, therefore parents do not have to pay any costs to get their children vaccinated.   

Until recently, only girls in Lithuania were vaccinated with HPV vaccine according to the Children's Preventive Vaccination Calendar. However, health experts have identified a need to provide free vaccination for boys.  

All parents of girls and boys aged 11 years old are encouraged to contact their family doctor for HPV vaccination. Younger children are not vaccinated.

„In the past, girls in Lithuanian medical institutions were vaccinated with the bivalent HPV vaccine. This time, The National Health Insurance Fund has purchased and distributed to healthcare institutions nine-valent HPV vaccines. This means that the vaccine will protect children against 9 types of diseases caused by human papillomavirus, making it much more effective. The two-year purchase cost was EUR 3.64 million,“ says Lina Reinartienė, Head of the Centrally Procured Pharmaceuticals Division of The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) under the Ministry of Health.  

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world, through direct contact with an infected person. Human papillomaviruses cause the development of pathological tissue formations. Some of these viruses can cause anal and external genital organs cancer of both men and women.  

Almost all cervical cancers have been found to be caused by HPV infection. In Europe, it is estimated that around 90% of anal cancers, 15% of female external genital cancers, 70% of vaginal cancers and 30-40% of penile cancers are caused by HPV infection. In countries with global HPV vaccination programmes, the incidence of these cancers is lower.  

The health insurance funds point out that the HPV vaccination schedule consists of two doses of the vaccine, with at least 6 months between the first and second dose. All children are vaccinated free of charge with two doses of the vaccine.

According to the NHIF, nearly 16 500 girls were vaccinated against HPV in Lithuanian health facilities last year. It is estimated that from the start of vaccination in September 2016 until this year, close to 69 000 girls have been vaccinated with at least one dose of HPV vaccine free of charge.

Currently, children in Lithuania receive free vaccinations against 14 infectious diseases.

(Freepik photo)

The NHIF invites you:

Your questions are welcome by email[email protected]or phone: local (8 5) 232 2222, international +370 5 232 2222

Last updated: 22-02-2023

Related news:

Health budget in 2025: what benefits did we receive?

The right to be informed: what is important to know about reimbursable healthcare

Tens of millions of euros for residents’ health: for whom and how are medication co-payments covered?

Study reveals: a family doctor’s advice determines the decision to get checked

Unexpected ailments during the holidays: where to turn and what to know