Kazakhstan to start vaccinating 11-year-old boys against HPV: date announced
Tengrinews.kz – From 2027, Kazakhstan plans to begin vaccinating 11-year-old boys against the human papillomavirus (HPV) in pilot mode. This was announced by Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Finance Abzal Beisenbekuly.
How much money is allocated for healthcare in the budget
Presenting the draft law “On the Republican Budget for 2027–2029,” the Vice Minister of Finance noted that 2.5 trillion tenge is planned to be allocated for healthcare in 2027.
This amount is intended for the guaranteed volume of free medical care, medicine provision and health insurance.
According to the Vice Minister of Finance, 453 billion tenge was also redistributed in the healthcare sector due to the transfer of primary healthcare into the compulsory social health insurance system.
“Due to an increase in the median salary used to calculate state contributions to compulsory social health insurance, an additional 185 billion tenge has been allocated,” he added.
HPV vaccination to be expanded
The funding also includes preventive measures.
For example, from 2027, 11-year-old boys will begin to be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus.
Note: HPV is a group of more than 200 types of viruses, about 40 of which can be transmitted sexually. Fourteen types are considered oncogenic and can cause cervical cancer and several other types of tumors. The HPV vaccine protects against the most dangerous types of the virus and helps prevent the development of HPV-related cancers.
Kazakhstan began vaccination against the human papillomavirus in September 2024. So far, only girls aged 11–13 receive it. It is included in the National Preventive Vaccination Schedule. Vaccination is voluntary and is carried out only with the consent of parents or legal representatives of the girls.
New screening to be launched in Kazakhstan
As Abzal Beisenbekuly noted, next year Kazakhstan plans to introduce a new type of screening in pilot mode in four regions — for the early detection of lung cancer.
Recently, lung cancer awareness week was held in all regions. People were offered screening for the disease using low-dose computed tomography. This is an internationally recognized method of early lung cancer diagnosis for people in high-risk groups.
These include:
citizens over 50;
people with a smoking history of more than 15 years;
current and former smokers;
workers in hazardous industries exposed to dust, smoke, chemicals and carcinogenic substances.
Specialists recommend that these categories of the population undergo regular preventive checkups.
As a reminder, in Kazakhstan, about 70 percent of lung cancer cases are detected only at stages three or four, when treatment is less effective.