Costa Rica Women to Receive 2nd Cancer Prevention Vaccination

Starting on December 3rd, 2019, Costa Rican young women to whom the 1st dose of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was already administered should receive the 2nd dose of the vaccine.

This vaccination would complete the cancer prevention program initially announced in June 2019.  

This 2nd HPV vaccine dose is necessary to protect women against 4 HPVs, which are the cause of cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers among women in the world.

According to reporting by the Costa Rican News, as of September 30th, 2019, about 81 percent of the target group was vaccinated. 

This data indicates 29,450 doses of the HPV vaccine were delivered in 2019.

For Dr. Leandra Abarca, from the Costa Rican Social Security Fund immunization program, it is important to demonstrate the great work the local and regional levels do in vaccination.

“The primary care technical assistants identify 10-year-old girls, educate their parents, answer questions, and administer the vaccine every day, according to the national protocol endorsed”, said Dr. Abarca.

During 2020, both HPV doses will be given at school, one at the beginning of the school year and another at the end.

HPV is the world's most prevalent sexually transmitted infection and is associated with life-threatening cancers, including cancers of the cervix, anus, penis, vagina, vulva, mouth and throat, says the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Around 90 percent of cervical cancer cases are HPV-related.

HPV infections are so common that nearly all men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives. The HPV virus is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact. 

About 14 million Americans, including teens, become infected each year, says the CDC.

While Costa Rica is using the Gardasil vaccine, the CDC suggests the Gardasil 9 vaccine to everyone in the USA.

Recently, the CDC updated its health advice when visiting Costa Rica, on August 2, 2019, saying visitors should ensure they are up-to-date on several Routine Vaccines and suggests Measles, Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations.

The CDC says ‘some travelers to Costa Rica may need a yellow fever vaccination prior to arrival.’

Costa Rica is located in Central America between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and borders Nicaragua and Panama.

Travel vaccination services, related medications, and pre-trip counseling appointments can be scheduled at Vax-Before-Travel. 

Costa Rica news is published by Vax-Before-Travel