The Ministry of Health (Minsa) announced on March 17 that it is intensifying human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaigns in schools across Peru as part of the Buen Inicio del Año Escolar initiative. The effort aims to protect the health of children and adolescents from the first day of classes.
According to Minsa, these vaccination drives are being carried out nationwide in coordination with regional health authorities. In Huánuco, vaccinations took place at Víctor Reyes Roca School in Leoncio Prado province, where regional officials, education sector leaders, and health brigades supervised the administration of doses to students as part of ongoing prevention strategies within schools.
Similar activities are being held simultaneously in other regions. In Loreto, the Regional Health Directorate participated in the school year’s opening ceremony at Mariscal Óscar R. Benavides School. There, teams from IPRESS Moronacocha provided HPV vaccinations to students, bringing this essential service directly to educational communities.
The campaigns also include informational sessions for parents and sociocultural presentations designed to build trust in vaccines and raise awareness about preventing diseases linked to HPV, such as cervical cancer caused by the virus.
Minsa said that vaccination remains one of the safest and most effective interventions for preventing disease and saving lives. The beginning of the school year provides an opportunity for families to ensure their children have received all regular immunizations.
The ministry added that if a child or adolescent was not vaccinated at school, they can visit a nearby health center. Vaccination against HPV is available for boys and girls aged 9 to 18 years old. For more information or questions about vaccination, Minsa offers free guidance through its Línea 113 service.
