Barranquilla starts free HPV vaccination for children as young as 9 years old
The launching ceremony of the vaccination intensive day in the district will be held this Saturday at 8:00 am at CAMINO El Bosque
This Saturday, September 30, Barranquilla will begin free vaccinations against the human papillomavirus (HPV) for 9-year-old boys, which will take place in more than 60 locations in the city.
Currently, the HPV vaccine is only available free to girls aged 9 to 17 to protect them against cervical cancer. Following recommendations from scientific associations, the Ministry of Health and Social Security decided to include the vaccine in Colombia to protect children against diseases such as rectal and oropharyngeal colon cancer.
As a city that fights inequality (one of the hallmarks of Mayor Jaime Pumarejo Heins’ administration), Barranquilla continues to consolidate the quality and coverage of its healthcare model.
The district’s vaccination booster day will start this Saturday at 8:00 am at CAMINO El Bosque, where all biological products from the Expanded Program on Immunization will also be used, including vaccines against covid-19 for boys, girls, women of childbearing age, Pregnant women and the elderly. The working hours of PASO and CAMINO are from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, and the other vaccination IPS are from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. In addition to these fixed points, mobile points will be installed in Barranquilla of five locations where the vaccine is being administered.
District Health Bureau Director, Humberto Mendoza ChallisThe importance of vaccinating boys and girls against HPV at this stage of childhood is emphasized to avoid the spread of infection when they later start having sex. This is a strategy to avoid cancer. “In addition, we hope to use this opportunity so that mothers taking care of their children who participate in this event can protect themselves from diseases and improve people’s health. This is a great vaccination day for all,” the official said Those invited to participate include pregnant women, girls, children under 5 years old, and senior citizens. “
The goals for vaccinations on this day in September are:
- 7,050 boys and girls under 5 years old.
- 700 girls aged 9 to 17 years (VPH).
- 83 9-year-olds (HPV), September 30.
- 1,600 pregnant women and women of childbearing age (10 to 49 years old).
- 1,700 adults aged 50 and over.
Other vaccines that can be used on booster day:
Pentavirus (diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus or DPT, influenza B, and hepatitis B), polio, rotavirus, pneumococcus, hepatitis A and B, yellow fever, chickenpox, and covid-19.