Dr. Flora, a public health specialist, gently holds her son’s hand as she prepares him for a life-saving vaccine. “I vaccinated my two daughters the moment the HPV vaccine became available,” she says with confidence. “And now, I’m making sure my son is vaccinated too.”

Dr. Flora’s decision reflects a major public health milestone—one that UNFPA Kosovo has been working toward for years. Since 2014, UNFPA has been at the forefront of efforts to cervical cancer prevention, including screening and HPV vaccination, ensuring that women and girls have access to early detection and treatment. But prevention doesn’t stop at screening. Preventing the severe consequences of HPV infections is key, which is why UNFPA Kosovo led the push to introduce the HPV vaccine for both girls and boys.

From Advocacy to Action

For years, UNFPA Kosovo worked closely with the Ministry of Health and key partners, advocating for the introduction of the HPV vaccine as a critical prevention tool. The goal was clear: protect young people from HPV-related diseases and ultimately save lives.

The vaccine was introduced in 2024. The impact was significant. Within a year, the Ministry of Health successfully launched the first-ever HPV vaccination program for girls, reaching an impressive 85% of eligible girls. This milestone demonstrated both strong institutional collaboration and increased public awareness.

However, the work did not stop there. Recognizing that HPV affects both girls and boys, UNFPA continued to advocate for inclusion of boys in the vaccination program. In February 2025, Kosovo made history by including boys in the HPV vaccine rollout, ensuring equal protection for all children.

Since 2016, UNFPA’s support has also enabled over 20,000 women to undergo cervical cancer screening—an essential step in early detection and treatment.

A Strong Partnership for Public Health

Minister of Health, Dr. Arben Vitia, has consistently recognized UNFPA’s efforts in advocating for the inclusion of both girls and boys in the HPV vaccination program. “Thanks to UNFPA Kosovo’s support and advocacy, along with the efforts of other partners, we were able to introduce the HPV vaccine. First for girls, and now also for boys, ensuring a healthier future for all children in Kosovo.”

Across the country, parents now have access to a lifesaving vaccine that will protect their children from HPV-related cancers for decades to come. This success is about more than numbers—it’s about lives saved, diseases prevented, and a stronger, prevention-focused healthcare system.

Why This Matters

UNFPA Kosovo’s work in cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination is a powerful example of impact-driven change. Through advocacy, technical support, and awareness campaigns, UNFPA has helped Kosovo take a monumental step forward in public health.

This achievement would not have been possible without the support of partners and donors. Investing in prevention means investing in healthier, longer lives for the next generation. As Dr. Flora says while holding her son’s hand, “The best gift we can give to our children is health.”