Mongolia introduced HPV vaccination in 2024 as part of its cancer elimination programme. By the first quarter of 2026, more than 177 000 children aged 11–14 years have received HPV vaccination.
To assess the success and performance of the vaccination roll-out, the Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), conducted a Post-Introduction Evaluation (PIE) to assess implementation progress, identify challenges and generate recommendations for a successful roll-out. The evaluation included assessments at national and subnational levels on programme planning, service delivery, vaccination coverage, communication, community engagement and sustainability.
The evaluation has affirmed the progress that has been made, underpinned by a strong policy framework, experience and lessons learned from the HPV introduction in 2012, and the adoption of a simple one-dose schedule for both girls and boys.
The evaluation also highlighted the critical role of the strong collaboration between the health and education sectors as a key factor in achieving higher HPV vaccination coverage. In areas where engagement of local governments, schools, teachers and parents were strong, better results were achieved. One good practice is the establishment of joint health–education directives to support high vaccination targets, helping drive significant improvements in coverage.
/countries/mongolia/dsc_1602-2.jpg?sfvrsn=380dc020_3 "HPV vaccination brochures in Mongolia")
Parents, grandparents and school teachers gather for a community outreach event organized as part of the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign in Zamiin-Uud soum, Dornogovi Province. © WHO Mongolia
The evaluation emphasized the effectiveness of catch-up vaccination activities. Several locations that initially reported low uptake achieved substantial gains over time through targeted follow-up efforts, demonstrating that early setbacks can be successfully addressed through sustained engagement, flexible service delivery approaches and continued community outreach.
At the same time, the PIE identified several implementation challenges. Misinformation and anti-vaccine narratives spread rapidly through social media and communities during the early stages of vaccine introduction, while demand-generation activities and risk communication efforts were not fully established before rollout. Limited engagement of some schools, particularly private schools, weak microplanning, and insufficient coordination between education and health stakeholders also affected implementation.
As a way forward, several strategies were identified, including collaboration between the health and education sectors, strengthened accountability and teacher engagement, and greater involvement of local leadership. It is also recommended to sustain investment in demand generation, social listening, misinformation management and parent engagement, recognizing that vaccine confidence must be continuously nurtured rather than addressed through one-time campaigns.
The evaluation highlights an opportunity to position schools as a platform for life-course immunization by linking HPV vaccination with other vaccination contacts throughout childhood and adolescence. The lessons learned from HPV vaccine introduction will not only support higher HPV vaccine uptake but also strengthen preparedness for future vaccine introductions and broader adolescent health programmes in Mongolia.