Baja California kicked off Mexico’s First National Universal Vaccination Week on April 25, with free immunizations available at public health clinics across the state through May 2. State Health Secretary Adrián Medina Amarillas urged families with children who have incomplete vaccination records to visit their nearest clinic during the weeklong campaign.
A symbolic launch event took place at Mariano Otero Elementary School in Mexicali, where health workers administered MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccines to children as young as six years old. Both health and education officials attended the ceremony to promote the campaign.
Catch-Up Shots for Children With Gaps in Records
The national campaign targets standard childhood immunizations and focuses on closing gaps in vaccination schedules. Mexico’s federal government coordinates the annual effort, and each state participates by opening clinics and deploying mobile vaccination teams.
Medina Amarillas specifically called on parents and guardians to bring their children’s vaccination booklets (cartillas de vacunación) to any public health center. Clinics will review each child’s record and administer any missing doses at no charge. The campaign covers vaccines for diseases including measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and hepatitis B, among others.
What Residents Need to Know
Public health clinics (centros de salud) in Tijuana, Mexicali, Ensenada, Tecate, and Rosarito are all participating. No appointment is required during the vaccination week. Parents should bring their child’s vaccination booklet and, if possible, a CURP (Mexico’s unique population registry code) for each child.
The campaign applies to all residents, regardless of nationality. Families enrolled in Mexico’s public health system, including IMSS and ISSSTE, can access vaccines at their corresponding clinics. Those without formal health coverage can visit any Secretaría de Salud clinic.
Mexico has held national vaccination weeks since the 1990s as part of its public health strategy to maintain high immunization rates. The 2026 edition is the first under the “universal” branding, which emphasizes that all children and eligible adults can receive vaccines free of charge through the public system. This story was first reported by Ensenada.net.