Every girl born in 2009 (13 years old) can be vaccinated free of charge in Albania against the Papilloma Virus that causes cervical cancer. UNFPA Albania joined forces with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection to ensure the implementation of the national campaign for the vaccination of girls aged 13 to prevent and increase their protection against cervical cancer.

The Papilloma virus is a common, infectious virus that can cause other diseases, but fortunately, now girls can be protected through the vaccine provided free of charge  in every health center.

The introduction of the vaccine in November 2022 completes a whole cycle of the National Programme for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer, which includes other elements like development of standards and protocols, cervical precancer screening, HPV testing, counselling, referral system, diagnosis, treatment/follow up, training of health care providers etc.

tart of the launch of the programme in 2019, more than 40,000 women have been screened. The Covid19 pandemic, almost halted the program, especially during 2020. In 2022 the programme came back on track to reach the target of having 20,000 women screened per year, also extending the age group of screened women.

The vaccination campaign against the HPV continues , as does the dedication of UNFPA Albania in close partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection  and the Institute of Public Health to fully implement the 10-year National Cancer Control Program.