Summary: Human papilloma virus (HPV) is one of the most widespread and common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. HPV infection is linked not only with the vast majority of cervical, but also a substantial proportion of other anogenital and head and neck cancers. At least 14 HPV types are classified as "high-risk". HPV 16 and HPV 18 are the most common "high-risk" types, causing about 70% of all cases of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is a preventable disease. Vaccination for the prevention of HPV infection has been available for almost two decades. In recent years, less than 25% of low-income and less than 30% of lower-middle-income countries had introduced the HPV vaccine into their national immunization schedules, while more than 85% of high income countries had done so. Most current immunization programs target preadolescent girls within the age range of 9‒14 years but in recent years, several countries have also expanded, or will soon expand, vaccination to boys of the same age. The success of any HPV vaccination program hinges on achieving and maintaining high rates of vaccine uptake among both girls and boys. Elimination of vaccine-targeted HPV types is possible if vaccination coverage of girls and boys reaches 80%. Primary prevention utilizing HPV vaccination is recommended in the Polish Preventive Vaccination Plan for girls and boys before sexual initiation and according to the schedule recommended by manufacturers. HPV vaccination with 2-, 4- and 9-valent vaccines is offered at a price in primary health care and free of charge under local government health policy programs.