Free HPV vaccine in Poland: ages 9-14 and adults 18-26 until May 2027
Short answer: The HPV vaccine is free for ages 9-14 (two doses) and, from 1 October 2026 until 31 May 2027, for ages 18-26 (three doses, started before age 25), at a POZ clinic, per GIS.
Poland widened its free HPV vaccination from 1 October 2026. Besides children aged 9 to 14, adults aged 18 to 26 can now get the vaccine free of charge, but only for a limited time: the funding for young adults runs until 31 May 2027. This guide sets out who is covered, how many doses, where to go, and one point where the official pages do not agree. Sources are the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS) and the Ministry of Health, read on 15 October 2026.
What changed on 1 October 2026
According to GIS, the state's funding for HPV vaccination was extended on 1 October 2026 based on a notice of the Minister of Health dated 30 September 2026. The two covered groups are:
- Children and teenagers: from the 9th birthday up to the 14th birthday. The vaccine is given in a two-dose schedule.
- Young adults: from the 18th birthday up to the 26th birthday. The vaccine is given in a three-dose schedule. The first dose must be started before the 25th birthday, and the course can finish after the 25th birthday if the intervals between doses are kept.
GIS says the funding for the adult group applies until 31 May 2027. If you are in that age group, do not wait.
Where to get it
GIS says you can go to a primary-care clinic (POZ). The Ministry of Health says the universal programme can be done at any POZ that runs protective vaccinations for children and young people. A doctor decides whether you qualify for the vaccination, according to the ministry's Q&A. You cannot be vaccinated if you have had a severe allergic (anaphylactic) reaction to a vaccine component or to a previous dose.
Two doses for children, with more time
The ministry notes that since 15 May 2025 a child who started the vaccination before turning 14 gets the second dose within 6 to 12 months. The change was made because children who began late, in a clinic or at school, could otherwise miss the second dose.
Which vaccines
The Ministry of Health says two vaccines are available in the universal programme for children up to the 14th birthday: Cervarix and Gardasil 9. The programme is part of the National Oncology Strategy for 2020 to 2030 and adds the HPV vaccine to the free vaccination schedule for children and young people. The ministry's page does not name the vaccine for the 18 to 26 group, so ask the clinic which product it uses.
Is it mandatory?
No. The ministry says the HPV vaccination is recommended, not mandatory. It is recommended for girls and boys. The ministry explains that the vaccine protects against infection with a virus that can cause cancers, including cervical cancer, head and neck cancers and others, and that it works best before any exposure. The scheme covers boys too, since HPV-related diseases affect both sexes.
A point to check: ages 14 to 18
The Ministry of Health's page on free prevention programmes says that after the 14th birthday and up to the 18th, the vaccine Cervarix is available outside the programme with 100 percent reimbursement, with a prescription from a doctor and collection at a pharmacy. For people over 18 it says the vaccine costs 50 percent. That page may predate the October 2026 change for 18 to 26 year olds, so the 50 percent rule for adults could be out of date. Ask the clinic what applies to your age.
The sources we read do not say whether foreign residents need NFZ insurance or a PESEL for these vaccinations. Call the clinic before you go, and bring an identity document.
Practical steps
- Check your age. For adults, the course must be started before the 25th birthday.
- Book a visit at your POZ and ask for HPV vaccination under the current programme.
- Keep a record of all doses. A three-dose course needs correct intervals between doses.
- If you are older than 26, ask about reimbursed or paid options. The ministry's page lists a 50 percent charge for adults, but that may have changed.
- For free screening for adults, see our guide to NFZ cancer screening.
* Photos: CC0 vaccine vial image and public domain doctor image, via Wikimedia Commons.
Frequently asked questions
Is the HPV vaccine free in Poland?
Yes, for children from 9 to 14 and, from 1 October 2026 until 31 May 2027, for adults aged 18 to 26, according to GIS and the Ministry of Health.
How many doses do adults need?
Three. Young adults follow a three-dose schedule, and children under 14 follow a two-dose schedule.
Where can I get vaccinated?
At a primary-care clinic (POZ). A doctor qualifies you for the vaccination.
