Gender, Biomedicine, and the Human Papillomavirus in Mexico. Sociotechnical Complexities within the Public Policy Vaccination

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) preventive vaccine emerged in 2000’s first decade as a biomedical alternative to decrease cervical cases rates, that represent one of the leading death causes among young women in Latin America and other countries that face inequalities. OBJECTIVE. To analyze the configuration of HPV vaccination public policy in Mexico, from the «stratified biomedicalization» of sexual risk. MATERIAL AND METHODS. A qualitative approach, that includes in-depth interviews with key actors in the configuration of the Mexican public policy HPV vaccination from a sociological interpretative focus was carried out. RESULTS. It is highlighted how there were embedded big pharma, scientific knowledge, governmental decisions as well as notions regarding gender and sexuality to immunize only 11-year-old girls. CONCLUSIONS. It is necessary to revise the necessity of including gender perspective to create an HPV vaccination public policy more inclusive.