Aruba launches school vaccination campaign with HPV expansion

The Aruba Public Health Directorate (DVG) is launching its annual school vaccination campaign for the 2026-2027 school year. Scheduled to run from September 14 to October 9, the initiative will involve medical and nursing staff from the Youth Health section visiting primary and preparatory schools across the island.

A significant update to this year's campaign is the inclusion of sixth-grade boys in the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program. While the vaccine has been available to girls in Aruba since 2014, it is now being extended to males to prevent various types of cancer, including anal, mouth, and throat cancers.

Other vaccines included in the national scheme are DKTP (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and polio), MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), and Hepatitis B. Parents or legal guardians must provide written authorization via a signed form returned to the school for their children to participate. Families with previous vaccination records from outside Aruba are advised to present documentation to assist with medical history reviews.