HPV vaccination initiatives expand in Aruba and Davao City

Public health initiatives regarding Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination are being expanded or proposed in Aruba and the Philippines.

In Aruba, the Directie Volksgezondheid (DVG) is implementing the 2026-2027 National School Vaccination Campaign. The program, managed by the Jeugdgezondheidszorg (JGZ) section, will offer the HPV vaccine to both female and male students in Grade 6. The initiative aims to provide early protection against various cancers, including cervical, oral, throat, and penile cancers. Vaccination requires parental or legal guardian consent via a permission form.

In Davao City, Philippines, Councilor Richlyn Justol-Baguilod has proposed an ordinance to institutionalize an HPV vaccination program specifically for female city government employees. The proposal follows a survey indicating that while 79.9 percent of female employees expressed interest in the vaccine, only about half had completed their full dosage. The program would be coordinated with the City Health Office to address the high incidence of HPV-related cancers in the region.