Department of Public Health Launches School Vaccination Campaign

Between September 14 and October 9, JGZ school physicians and nurses will visit all preschools and elementary schools in Aruba to vaccinate children who are eligible according to the national immunization schedule, depending on their age or grade level.

The vaccines administered during the campaign include:

• DTaP/IPV: against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), and polio
• MMR: against measles, mumps, and rubella
• HepB: against hepatitis B
• HPV: against human papillomavirus

There is a major change in this year's school vaccination campaign. For the first time, the HPV vaccine will also be offered to boys in 4th grade, following its initial introduction for girls in 2014. HPV is a common virus that can infect both women and men. It has been shown that, in addition to cervical cancer, an HPV infection can cause several other types of cancer in both women and men—primarily cancers of the anus, mouth, and throat.

Parents or legal guardians of eligible children will receive an information brochure and a consent form through the school. It is important to sign and return the form to the school as soon as possible. Without consent from a parent or legal guardian, JGZ will not vaccinate the child.

For children born outside of Aruba or previously vaccinated, JGZ requests their vaccination card or other proof of immunization. You can send a copy or photo via email. Based on this information, JGZ will verify whether the child is fully vaccinated for their age under Aruba's current immunization schedule.

DVG asks all parents to cooperate with the campaign. A high vaccination rate protects not only individual children, but also our schools, families, and the entire community.

Vaccination is prevention, protection, and an investment in the future health of our children.

Good health, our priority!

For more information, you can like our Facebook page Directie Volksgezondheid DVG Aruba, follow us on Instagram (@directie_volksgezondheid_aruba), follow us on WhatsApp, receive all updates via the Aruba Health App, visit www.dvg.aw, call 522-4200, or send an email to jgz@dvg.aw or servicio@dvg.aw.