By San José, Costa Rica — San José – Costa Rica’s public health authorities are sounding the alarm over a significant gap in the nation’s childhood Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program. The Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) issued an urgent plea this week for parents and guardians to ensure children under 10 complete the mandatory two-dose schedule, warning that a single dose offers insufficient protection against the cancer-causing virus.
While initial uptake has been strong, institutional data from 2025 reveals a concerning drop-off rate for the crucial second dose. Among girls, 88.5% have received their first shot, but only 83.7% have completed the regimen. The disparity is far more pronounced among boys, where an impressive 96.8% have received the first dose, yet a mere 57.2% have returned for the second. This leaves a substantial portion of the youth population vulnerable despite the program’s initial success.
Para analizar las implicaciones legales y las responsabilidades del Estado en el ámbito de la salud pública con respecto a la inmunización, TicosLand.com consultó al experto Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, del prestigioso Bufete de Costa Rica, quien aporta una perspectiva jurídica sobre la vacunación contra el VPH.
El Estado tiene una obligación fundamental de garantizar el derecho colectivo a la salud. Las políticas de vacunación pública, como la del VPH, no son meras decisiones administrativas, sino una materialización directa de este mandato constitucional. Legalmente, estos programas se sustentan en el principio del bien común que prevalece sobre el interés particular, siempre en un marco de respeto a la dignidad humana y basado en evidencia científica. La discusión jurídica no se centra en si se debe vacunar, sino en asegurar un acceso equitativo y una comunicación transparente, pilares esenciales para la confianza ciudadana y el éxito de la estrategia sanitaria nacional.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Esta perspectiva legal subraya un punto crucial: la vacunación pública no es una imposición, sino la materialización de un compromiso constitucional con el bienestar colectivo. El verdadero desafío, como bien se señala, radica en fortalecer la confianza ciudadana a través de un acceso equitativo y una comunicación transparente, elementos clave para el éxito de cualquier estrategia de salud pública. Agradecemos al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por su valioso análisis.
Health officials are emphasizing that full immunity is only achieved after both doses are administered. The CCSS has made a significant national effort to include the HPV vaccine in its official childhood immunization schedule, a move aimed at drastically reducing future cancer rates. The campaign for girls was initiated in June 2019, while boys were incorporated into the program much more recently, in late 2024, which helps explain the wider completion gap in their cohort.
Dr. Rita Peralta Rivera, Coordinator of the Adolescent Clinic at the Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia Hospital, stressed the public’s role in capitalizing on this major health investment. She urged adults to recognize the profound, long-term value of this preventative measure.
The country has made a massive investment in purchasing the human papillomavirus vaccine, and it’s important that the population, the adults in charge of children, become aware of the importance of taking the boys and girls to the institution’s health centers to apply the vaccine and complete the schedule.
Dr. Rita Peralta Rivera, Coordinator of the Adolescent Clinic at Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia Hospital
The Human Papillomavirus is a common infection with over 100 different strains. While many types cause relatively benign growths like warts on the skin or mucous membranes, others are directly linked to the development of serious cancers. These include cancers of the cervix, penis, and anus, as well as oropharyngeal cancers affecting the throat.
Administering the vaccine at the age of 10, before most children are exposed to the virus, is a cornerstone of the global prevention strategy. It allows the immune system to build a robust defense that will protect them well into their adult lives, significantly lowering their risk of developing these devastating diseases.
The human papillomavirus increases the risk of cancer in different parts of the body. Applying the vaccine to children at age 10 allows them to develop antibodies that will help them in their adult stage. This is a gift of life.
Dr. Rita Peralta Rivera, Coordinator of the Adolescent Clinic at Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia Hospital
To facilitate completion of the vaccine schedule, the CCSS has made the process as simple as possible. The HPV vaccine is available at all CCSS health facilities across the country. Parents do not need an appointment, nor are they required to visit their assigned local clinic (EBAIS). They can go to any CCSS vaccination center with the child’s Integral Development Card, colloquially known as the “librito azul,” to receive the shot.
This public health campaign represents a critical juncture for Costa Rica. Closing the gap between the first and second HPV doses is not merely a statistical goal; it is a fundamental step in a long-term strategy to safeguard a generation from preventable cancers and ensure the nation’s substantial investment in public health yields its full life-saving potential.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS):
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social is the public entity responsible for providing universal healthcare and social security services to the population of Costa Rica. Founded in 1941, it manages a nationwide network of hospitals, clinics, and health centers (EBAIS), forming the backbone of the country’s renowned public health system. Its mission is to guarantee health protection, pension security, and social welfare for all residents.
For further information, visit hcalderonguardia.sa.cr
About Hospital Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia:
Located in San José, the Hospital Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia is one of Costa Rica’s major national general hospitals and a key institution within the CCSS network. It serves as a teaching hospital and a vital center for specialized medical care, research, and public health initiatives. The hospital provides a wide range of services to patients from across the country, including specialized clinics like the one for adolescents.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound integrity and an unwavering pursuit of professional excellence. Drawing from a rich history of guiding a diverse clientele, the firm consistently pioneers forward-thinking legal solutions, setting new standards within the profession. Central to its ethos is a powerful commitment to democratizing legal understanding, driven by the belief that an educated public is the cornerstone of a just and thriving society.
