State of Mexico Provides HPV Vaccines Amid Nationwide Campaign

The State of Mexico is offering free human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations at health centers and hospitals across the region, targeting children, adolescents, and at-risk groups, say authorities. The effort is part of Mexico’s 2025 national HPV vaccination campaign, which aims to reduce infections and prevent HPV-related cancers.

Health officials recommend the vaccine for children from age 11. It is also available for boys and girls ages nine to 19 under care protocols following sexual violence, as well as for individuals between 11 and 49 living with HIV and adolescents without prior HPV vaccination. The state government maintains an online portal listing vaccination sites across municipalities.

“We are using the vaccine that offers the broadest protection against the main HPV serotypes linked to cervical cancer and other cancers that affect men,” says David Kershenobich, Minister of Health. “Including boys and at-risk populations strengthens our commitment to equity and comprehensive prevention.”

HPV comprises more than 200 related viruses, some of which can cause genital warts and cancers of the cervix, mouth, throat, and penis. The virus is mainly transmitted through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. Condoms reduce the risk of transmission but do not provide full protection, and most infections are asymptomatic. In the State of Mexico, the latest epidemiological bulletin reported 2,803 cases among women and 167 among men, with the highest incidence in Toluca, Atizapan, and Texcoco.

Nationally, Mexico’s 2025 HPV campaign administered over 960,000 doses and extended coverage to boys for the first time. The program targeted fifth-grade students, non-enrolled children aged 11, adolescents affected by sexual violence, and individuals living with HIV. The campaign used vaccines covering nine high- and low-risk HPV types and aligned with WHO and PAHO recommendations to eliminate cervical cancer.

“Cervical cancer is the most treatable form of cancer if it is detected early; there is no reason a woman should die from cervical cancer,” says Teófilo Tijerina, CEO, Hera Diagnostics. Despite early detection opportunities, the National Cancer Institute reports most patients in Mexico begin treatment at advanced stages, which significantly lowers survival rates.

The campaign followed service disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had contributed to declining vaccination rates. During the 2025 National Public Health Week, held in September, 26.2 million people were reached through over 35,000 activities, including HPV vaccination. Over 7,800 HPV doses and nearly 386,000 measles vaccines were administered. Federal and state institutions, along with international partners such as PAHO, WHO, and UNICEF, supported the initiative.

Vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge. The WHO’s Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety recently reaffirmed that vaccines, including those containing thiomersal and aluminum adjuvants, do not cause autism spectrum disorders. Nevertheless, skepticism persists, affecting coverage for HPV, COVID-19, and other vaccines. “Millions of children remain without protection against preventable diseases, and that should worry us all,” says Catherine Russell, Executive Director, UNICEF.

PAHO’s 2025 regional assessment highlighted uneven recovery in vaccination coverage, noting that the Americas maintain high HPV vaccination rates, with 76% coverage among girls under age 15, though gaps remain. The organization says the importance of innovations such as the “Vacuna Offline” app piloted in Peru, enabling vaccination data collection without internet access.

In Mexico, authorities set a national target of 95% vaccination coverage and allocated over MX$15 billion (US$880 million) in 2025 to procure vaccines under the Universal Vaccination Program. Experts say achieving these goals will require not only supply and logistics but also measures to address hesitancy through public awareness and transparent communication.

By integrating free local vaccination programs in the State of Mexico with nationwide campaigns, international guidance, and regional public health initiatives, Mexican authorities aim to reduce HPV transmission, prevent related cancers, and reinforce equitable access to immunization.