Mexico to Hold National Vaccination Week

Mexico's Ministry of Health announced that the National Vaccination Week will take place from April 26 to May 3, urging the public to actively participate in the campaign. The initiative, which aims to increase vaccination coverage across the country, will be held in health centers, public hospitals, and vaccination posts nationwide. The government assures that there is an adequate supply of vaccines to meet the needs of the entire population, which will be able to receive the vaccines free of charge.

The vaccines offered during the National Vaccination Week target different age groups and specific health needs. For infants, vaccines such as BCG, Hepatitis B, Hexavalent, Rotavirus, and Pneumococcus will be available. Children between one and nine years old will receive booster shots for Measles, Rubella, Mumps (SRP), Pneumococcus, and Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus (DPT). 

Teenagers will be offered the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Tetanus and Diphtheria, Measles and Rubella, and Hepatitis B vaccines. Pregnant women will be vaccinated with the Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine starting from the 20th week of gestation. Adults will receive booster shots for Tetanus and Diphtheria, Measles and Rubella, and Hepatitis B, depending on their risk factors. Seniors will have access to the Pneumococcal vaccine, while health personnel will be offered boosters for Measles and Rubella and Hepatitis B.

David Kershenobich, Minister of Health, says that vaccines have been instrumental in almost doubling life expectancy over the last 100 years.

“Vaccines teach the body how to fight off a microorganism by injecting a weakened or dead virus or fragments of the virus or bacteria. When the body encounters the pathogen again, it knows how to destroy it,” says Rodrigo Romero, Coordinator, Mexican Association of Vaccinology. 

Vaccination has been a cornerstone of public health for over two centuries, continuing to be a vital tool in disease prevention and the creation of healthier, more resilient societies. The Ministry of Health is calling on all citizens to take part in this national effort, reinforcing the importance of vaccinations for the health and well-being of the entire population.

As the National Vaccination Week approaches, the government remains focused on improving public health and reducing the burden of infectious diseases through widespread immunization initiatives. The Ministry of Health encourages everyone eligible to take advantage of this opportunity to receive their vaccines and contribute to the ongoing efforts to enhance public health in Mexico.