The Health Ministry has submitted for public consultation a draft regulation amending regulations on mandatory immunizations. The document envisages, among other things, the inclusion of HPV and meningococcal vaccinations in the catalog of mandatory vaccinations, modification of the pertussis vaccination calendar, as well as the ordering of regulations on medical personnel qualifications and vaccination documentation.
New mandatory vaccination calendar. What does the Health Ministry's draft change?
Published Oct. 21, 2025 07:59
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A draft regulation of the Minister of Health amending the regulation on mandatory immunization has been submitted for public consultation. As the ministry stresses, the purpose of the amendment is both to increase protection against infectious diseases and to organize and adapt the regulations to the current epidemiological and organizational situation of the vaccination system.
HPV - mandatory vaccination from the age of 9.
The most important change concerns the expansion of the mandatory vaccination catalog to include human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The mandatory vaccination is to apply to children from the age of 9 to the age of 15. The Health Ministry points out that the decision is crucial for the prevention of cancers associated with HPV infection, including cervical cancer - one of the most common cancers in women in Poland.
According to estimates by the World Health Organization, HPV infections are responsible for about 690,000 cancers per year worldwide, and more than 3,000 cases in Poland. The inclusion of vaccination under the mandatory vaccination system is expected to allow higher vaccination rates and more effective cancer prevention.
Meningococcal vaccination in at-risk groups
The draft also provides for the expansion of mandatory immunization to include invasive Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal) infections. Compulsory vaccination against types B and ACWY is to be extended to persons up to the age of 19 years from risk groups - analogous to pneumococcal vaccination - and children born to mothers infected with HIV.
The Ministry stresses that invasive meningococcal disease, including meningitis or sepsis, develops very quickly and is fraught with high mortality and the risk of permanent complications. Expanded vaccination is expected to prevent the tragic consequences of infection among children and adolescents at high risk.
Changes in pertussis vaccination
The draft also envisages moving the age of administration of the second booster dose of pertussis vaccination - from the age of 14 to 12. At the same time, a booster vaccination after the age of 17 will be introduced to replace the current dose against tetanus and diphtheria.
As the ministry justifies, the change is a response to the current epidemiological situation in the country and the world. Pertussis, despite years of vaccination, remains a disease that cannot be permanently eliminated, and the number of cases periodically increases. It is therefore crucial to maintain immunity in the adolescent and adult population.
Arrangement of vaccination indications and documentation
The draft also introduces a number of organizational changes. Among other things, the indications for vaccination against hepatitis B have been clarified - in addition to women planning pregnancy, pregnant women are also to be vaccinated.
The provisions on smallpox vaccination have been modified - the obligation to vaccinate will cover children up to the age of 4 years staying in or qualified for nurseries, children's clubs and kindergartens.
Provisions on the qualification of persons authorized to carry out vaccinations have also been clarified - they are to allow qualifications to be obtained also through pre-diploma training.
In addition, model documentation - the Immunization Card and Vaccination Booklet - have been cleaned up, and provisions relating to vaccinations carried out in schools, which are currently no longer practiced, have been removed.
Source: RCL
