The Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador announced on May 5 the start of a nationwide vaccination campaign as part of the 24th Vaccination Week in the Americas and the 15th World Immunization Week. The initiative, titled “Your decision makes a difference. Immunization for all,” is supported by the Pan American Health Organization and aims to increase childhood immunization coverage across all provinces.
The campaign seeks to address incomplete vaccination schedules among children by deploying mobile brigades for door-to-door outreach and concentrating efforts at strategic high-traffic locations. According to officials, these measures are designed to ensure timely immunization for all children who have not completed their regular vaccine series.
The government led by Daniel Noboa has allocated $62 million for this effort, securing over 23 million doses of high-quality vaccines for use throughout 2026. This investment covers more than twenty diseases, including pneumococcus, diphtheria, tetanus, influenza, measles, and yellow fever. The Ministry emphasized that “the measles vaccine is our most powerful tool to protect the health of our girls and boys.” Parents are reminded that children from birth up to five years old should receive at least twelve types of vaccines totaling twenty-seven doses.
New strategies introduced this year include a ‘zero dose’ measles-rubella vaccine for infants aged six to eleven months in border areas or regions with high migration flows. This additional dose does not replace but rather supplements the regular schedule. The Ministry also prioritizes vaccinating operational staff and travelers at airports and ports to prevent virus importation.
Recent updates to Ecuador’s immunization program include switching from PCV10 pneumococcal vaccine to PCV13 for broader protection against pneumonia and meningitis; replacing pentavalent with hexavalent vaccines; introducing pertussis (Tdap) shots during pregnancy; offering single-dose HPV vaccinations at age nine; and incorporating an annual COVID-19 shot into routine schedules for vulnerable groups.
The current campaign will continue through May 10 as Ecuador reaffirms its commitment to maintaining accessible and safe immunization programs.
