Essential Vaccines by Age During National Vaccination Week

Mexico’s annual National Vaccination Week has been extended through the end of May 2026, giving families additional time to catch up on routine immunizations across all age groups. The expansion, announced by federal and state health authorities, follows strong early turnout and aims to close gaps in coverage that persist despite decades of public-health campaigns.

Expanded Timeline and State-Level Progress

The federal Ministry of Health (Secretaría de Salud, or Ssa) initially scheduled the National Vaccination Week for April 20–27, 2026. On April 28, the Ssa announced that all vaccination posts would remain open through May 31, citing “logistical flexibility and sustained demand,” according to an official bulletin published by El Universal. The extension applies nationwide, allowing clinics to continue administering free vaccines without appointment during regular operating hours.

In the northwestern state of Sinaloa, health officials reported that 85 % of the targeted population had received at least one vaccine dose by April 27. The state government attributed the high coverage to mobile brigades that visited schools, markets, and rural communities. “We reached families who otherwise face transportation barriers,” said a spokesperson for the Sinaloa Health Services in a statement carried by the state government’s official news portal. The statement did not specify whether the 85 % figure referred to all age groups or a subset, such as children under five.

Puebla, a central-eastern state, also extended its campaign through May 31. The state health department published a list of participating clinics and urged parents to bring vaccination cards for review. No statewide coverage figures were released for Puebla, but the department noted that urban centers had seen higher turnout than rural municipalities.

Age-Based Vaccine Recommendations

The National Vaccination Week targets all age groups, from newborns to older adults. The federal Ministry of Health publishes an annual schedule aligned with the World Health Organization’s regional guidelines and Mexico’s national immunization program. For 2026, the schedule includes the following key vaccines by age group, as outlined in official materials from the Ssa and state health departments:

• Birth to 24 hours: Hepatitis B (first of three doses) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody for infants born during RSV season (typically October–March).
• 2 months: Rotavirus, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13), and inactivated poliovirus (IPV).
• 12 months: Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), varicella, and hepatitis A.
• 4–6 years: DTaP booster, IPV booster, MMR booster, and varicella booster.
• 11–12 years: Human papillomavirus (HPV, two-dose series), meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY), and Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster).
• 16 years: Meningococcal B (shared clinical decision-making) and MenACWY booster.
• Adults 19–64: Annual influenza, Tdap every 10 years, and pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23) for high-risk groups.
• Adults 65 and older: High-dose influenza, PPSV23, and recombinant zoster (shingles).

The schedule also includes catch-up doses for children and adolescents who missed earlier vaccines. Health workers are instructed to review vaccination cards and administer any missing doses during the campaign, regardless of the child’s age.

Public Health Context and Persistent Gaps

Mexico’s National Vaccination Week has been held annually since 1993, typically in late April. The campaign is timed to precede the start of the rainy season, when vector-borne diseases such as dengue and Zika historically peak. Despite high overall coverage for basic childhood vaccines—such as BCG (tuberculosis) and MMR—health officials have identified persistent disparities. A 2025 report from the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) found that coverage for newer vaccines, such as HPV and rotavirus, remains below the 90 % target in several states, particularly in indigenous and migrant communities.

The extension to May 31 reflects an effort to address these gaps. “We want to ensure that no child or adult is left unprotected,” said a federal health official in a statement quoted by UnoTV. The official did not provide specific targets for the extended period but noted that mobile units would continue to operate in underserved areas.

Safety and Accessibility

All vaccines administered during the campaign meet the safety and efficacy standards set by the Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris). Clinics are required to maintain cold-chain protocols and report adverse events through the national surveillance system. Parents are encouraged to bring vaccination cards to ensure accurate record-keeping, though the campaign accepts walk-ins without prior documentation.

For families with limited mobility, state health departments have deployed mobile brigades equipped with refrigerated vaccine carriers. In Sinaloa, for example, brigades visited 120 rural communities during the first week of the campaign. Puebla’s health department reported similar outreach efforts, including partnerships with local schools and community centers.

Next Steps and Uncertainties

The Ministry of Health has not announced whether the May 31 deadline will be further extended. Coverage data for the extended period will be released in June, according to the Ssa’s communications office. Health officials have also not specified whether the campaign will prioritize certain vaccines or age groups in its final weeks, though they have emphasized that all routine immunizations remain available.

Public health experts caution that while vaccination weeks can boost short-term coverage, sustained improvements require year-round access. “Campaigns are a valuable tool, but they must be complemented by strong primary care systems,” said a pediatrician affiliated with the Mexican Pediatric Association, who was not authorized to speak on behalf of the organization. The association has called for increased funding for rural health clinics and digital vaccination records to reduce missed opportunities.

For now, families across Mexico have until May 31 to visit local clinics and ensure their vaccinations are up to date. A full list of participating sites and recommended vaccines by age is available on the Ministry of Health’s official website and through state health department portals.