What is Tiempo de Vacunarte?
The overall goal of Tiempo de Vacunarte is to reduce the burden of HPV-associated cancers in border and rural counties by providing no-cost vaccines. Components of the program include health education, social media messaging, and no-cost HPV vaccinations.
The program covers counties in West Texas and along the Texas-Mexico border.
Eligible participants are all genders between the ages of 9 and 45 years old who are uninsured/underinsured, have not completed the HPV vaccination series, and have a Texas address. Parents will be providing consent and receiving the education for minors 9 to 17 years old. We also assist those who do have insurance by providing a referral and a resource list if individuals do not have a primary doctor.
How do I get free HPV vaccines?
Fill out our screening survey to see if you or your child qualify for free HPV vaccines!
If you qualify, our staff will contact you and share vaccine information and education over the phone, in person, or by your preferred virtual platform.
Next, you will receive a vaccine voucher in the mail.
Take this voucher to any of our partners below to receive your HPV vaccines at no cost! All vaccination sites are following strict safety protocols and will ensure you are safe when getting your vaccines.
Four easy steps:
Tiempo de Vacunarte Events
Tiempo de Vacunarte Team
Dr. Jennifer Molokwu, Project Director
Dr. Molokwu is originally from Nigeria and attended medical school in Nigeria. She then moved to the United States and obtained a master’s degree in public health from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology. She is currently involved in clinical research, teaching at undergraduate and graduate medical level, as well as clinical practice. Her research interests are in women’s health, cancer prevention, and shared patient decision-making. Most recently, she has been working on cervical cancer education in the border region.
Dr. Jessica Calderón-Mora, Project Co-Director
Dr. Calderón-Mora is originally from El Paso, TX and attended Stanford University. She went on to receive her masters and doctorate in public health from the UT Health Science Center at Houston. She has been with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso for almost 10 years and was the Founding Senior Director for the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Global Health. Dr. Calderón-Mora’s research interests are in cancer prevention, specifically targeted to HPV-associated cancers in a border community. She is very passionate about serving her hometown and underserved populations with the goal of addressing and eliminating health disparities among Latinos.
Gabrielle Mendoza, Project Coordinator
Gabrielle Mendoza, M.A., is originally from El Paso, TX and attended the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Gabrielle holds two bachelor’s degrees from UTEP: one in sociology and the second in women’s and gender studies. Additionally, she holds a master’s degree, also from UTEP, in sociology in which she completed a thesis titled "Tobacco Trends in a Young Adult Hispanic Population." Gabrielle enjoys spending time with her family, going to the movies, and baking. She is excited to have the opportunity to work in the community that she is not only from but loves.
Sonia Escamilla, Senior Outreach Worker
Sonia Escamilla is originally from El Paso, Texas. Sonia holds an associate’s degree in social work. She has served as a Navigator at TTUHSC El Paso for three years, navigating participants through the health system. Sonia enjoys baking and spending time with her family.
Estrella Peña, Senior Outreach Worker
Estrella Peña completed her bachelor’s degree of science in health promotion with a minor in community health in 2012. Estrella has previously worked at University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) as a reader scribe at the Center for Accommodations and Support Services (CASS). She has been with the Research department for 7 years. She also worked as an outreach worker for the cervical cancer screening program “De Casa en Casa" and as a senior outreach worker/navigator in the colorectal cancer screening program “ACCION/SuCCCeS." Estrella spends her free time going to Samalayuca Dunes (Medanos de Samalayuca) where she is part of Escuadron 4x4 off road and racing team.
