Vietnam to provide free HPV, pneumococcal vaccines for children from 2026

HANOI, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam will offer free vaccinations to children against cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) and pneumococcal diseases from 2026, aiming to expand immunization coverage and ease the financial burden on parents, local media VnExpress reported Friday.

Free pneumococcal vaccines will be rolled out on a small scale from the first quarter next year, while free HPV vaccination for 11-year-old girls will be offered from the third quarter. About 18,000 children will benefit from the scheme annually during 2026-2028.

Currently costing millions of Vietnamese dong per dose, the two vaccines will be added to the National Expanded Program on Immunization, helping ensure more equitable access to quality healthcare, particularly in disadvantaged regions. ■