Feira de Santana Extends HPV Vaccination Campaign

The HPV vaccination campaign in Feira de Santana, Bahia, has been officially extended. The Secretaria Municipal de Saúde (SMS) announced that the immunization drive will continue until the first half of 2026. This extension applies to the second largest city in the state.

The specific target audience for this campaign is adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age. The extension was defined by the Ministry of Health based on the number of people in this age group who have not yet received the protective dose nationwide. The goal is to increase coverage rates for this demographic.

The vaccine is currently accessible to the public through the 103 immunization rooms of Primary Health Care. These facilities are strategically located in the municipal seat and across various districts to ensure broad coverage.

Between January 1 and December 28 of the current year, Feira de Santana administered a total of 9,024 doses of the HPV immunizer. These doses were given to boys and girls ranging from 9 to 19 years old.

The distribution of these doses showed a slight preference for male recipients. The data breaks down as follows:

• 4,689 doses were administered to boys.
• 4,335 doses were administered to girls.

Within the specific target age range of 15 to 19 years, the city recorded 647 doses administered during this period. The gender split in this specific age group was:

• 310 doses administered to women.
• 337 doses administered to homens.

The HPV vaccine is a vital tool in preventing various types of cancer. It is particularly effective against cervical cancer but also protects against other tumors that affect both men and women. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer.

According to Rodrigo Matos, the Municipal Health Secretary, the vaccination scheme has been simplified to encourage higher participation. He stated, "Before, the HPV vaccine was applied in two doses. Currently, it is a single dose, which facilitates access and increases adherence."

HPV is transmitted mainly by direct contact of the skin or mucous membranes with infected areas, with sexual contact being the primary mode of transmission. The virus is divided into low-risk types, which cause genital warts, and high-risk types, which are associated with the development of malignant tumors such as cancers of the cervix, penis, anus, and oral regions.