• In Colombia, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women between the ages of 20 and 35.

• The vaccination program will initially be carried out in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, Rionegro, and Bucaramanga, with a goal of administering more than 50,000 doses.

• This is the second-largest adult immunization effort in the country’s history, after the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Medellín, September 2025. In Colombia, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women aged 20 to 35, driven by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This alarming reality is part of a regional context in which 16.1% of women in Latin America have a chronic HPV infection, compared to a global average of 11.7%, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Aware of the urgency of this situation, VaxThera, in partnership with SURA, is launching the Personalized Prevention Program, a large-scale adult HPV vaccination initiative.

As a Colombian biotechnology company, and with Seguros SURA as a founding partner, VaxThera has developed this program in line with its purpose of transforming science, research, and development into tangible benefits that help improve quality of life in Latin America. This initiative reflects that commitment by offering, free of charge, the Gardasil 9® vaccine to individuals who hold global health insurance or life insurance policies with Seguros SURA, with the aim of transforming the landscape of HPV-related disease prevention in the country.

It is crucial to highlight that this virus can cause not only cervical cancer, but also anogenital cancers, oropharyngeal cancers, and genital warts, affecting both men and women. Therefore, this comprehensive program seeks to substantially improve people’s health quality and to mitigate the significant economic and social burden generated by these conditions.

The program positions itself as the largest adult HPV immunization effort in both Colombia and Latin America, with a target of administering more than 50,000 doses. Although the country offers free vaccines for girls, boys, and adolescents under 18 using a four-serotype vaccine, coverage has remained below 30%. As such, this initiative represents an opportunity for thousands of women and men to access essential protection against HPV, directly impacting the reduction of cancer incidence in Colombia and marking a milestone in preventive health for the region.

“Driven by our commitment to those we love most—our daughters, sisters, mothers, and grandmothers—we have created a program that elevates HPV vaccination standards to new levels. Our purpose is clear: to build a safer future where prevention and protection are a right for all women and for our youth. Because caring for them is caring for life itself,” said Juan Pablo Hernández, Vice President of VaxThera.

The Gardasil 9® vaccine that will be administered is the only nonavalent vaccine available on the market, meaning it protects against nine different types of HPV, including those most strongly associated with cancer development, offering significantly broader and more effective protection than previous vaccines. It is even recommended that individuals who previously received monovalent, bivalent, or tetravalent vaccines be vaccinated again with Gardasil 9® to expand their range of protection. Likewise, it is recommended for men and women who have already been diagnosed with HPV.

The program will initially be implemented in the cities of Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, Rionegro, and Bucaramanga. Individuals prioritized to receive this benefit will be contacted via email starting in September by Seguros SURA.

About VaxThera
VaxThera is a Colombian, science-driven company dedicated to the research and development of biologics for the world. The company seeks to generate health independence through research, development, and innovation in biotechnology and health. VaxThera was founded through the collaboration of SURA and internationally recognized researchers in the fields of biotechnology and human health. The company is led by a team with more than 30 years of experience in the research and development of biologics.

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