Young people aged 15 to 19 who have not yet taken the HPV vaccine have an additional 6 months to be immunized. The Ministry of Health extended the vaccination rescue strategy (resumption of vaccination coverage) for this age group until the first half of 2026.
The deadline for immunization would now end in December. According to the Ministry of Health, the measure aims to reinforce the protection of this public throughout the country.
The strategy will remain in force until the next School Vaccination Campaign, allowing adolescents and young people who missed the opportunity to be vaccinated between the ages of 9 and 14 to still guarantee immunization.
Goal
According to the Ministry of Health, the estimate is to reach around 7 million young people in this age group who have not yet been vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Until December this year, the rescue strategy administered 208,700 doses of the vaccine, of which 91,000 to girls and 117,700 to boys. According to the ministry, the extension of the deadline allows adolescents and young people to guarantee individual protection and contribute to reducing the circulation of the virus in the population.
Where to get vaccinated
The HPV vaccine is available free of charge through the Unified Health System (SUS) and can be found:
- in Basic Health Units (UBS);
- in external actions, such as vaccination in schools, universities, sports halls and shopping malls
The actions have the support of states and municipalities to expand their reach and facilitate access for the target audience.
The vaccine is considered safe and is essential in preventing several types of cancer associated with HPV, such as:
- cervical cancer;
- vulvar cancer;
- penile cancer;
- throat and neck cancer.
The rescue strategy applies to all 5,569 Brazilian municipalities and seeks to reduce the long-term impacts of the virus.
Vaccination schedule
Vaccination against HPV is part of the national immunization calendar for children and adolescents aged 9 to 14 years. Since 2024, Brazil has adopted a single-dose schedule, replacing the previous two-dose model and facilitating access to the vaccine.
Pay attention to exceptions
For some groups, the scheme continues to be three doses, such as:
- immunocompromised people (living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and transplant patients);
- PrEP users aged 15 to 45;
- victims of sexual violence from the age of 15.
In case of doubt, the advice is to look for the nearest Basic Health Unit (UBS) to evaluate and update the vaccination card.
