Alfonso, Cavite — On September 5, 2025, Esperanza Elementary School hosted an orientation for the Department of Health’s (DOH) School-Based Immunization (SBI) program, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd). The event, which also served as a Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) meeting, aimed to inform and educate parents and guardians about the upcoming Bakuna-Eskwela vaccination drive.
The Bakuna-Eskwela is part of the nationwide SBI program implemented in all public schools across the Philippines. Before vaccination day, parents are required to sign a consent form to allow their children to receive the recommended vaccines.
During the orientation, health officials explained that the SBI program will provide Measles-Rubella (MR) and Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) vaccines for all Grade 1 and Grade 7 students, regardless of age. These vaccines are essential in boosting children’s immunity against potentially serious diseases.
For Grade 4 female students aged 9 to 14 years old, the program will administer the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. This vaccine helps prevent HPV infections, which can lead to cervical cancer later in life. Health officials emphasized that the chosen age range is intentional, vaccination is most effective before students reach the stage of possible sexual interaction, when the risk of HPV exposure becomes higher. Parents were informed that the HPV vaccine is given in two doses—the first during the school-based campaign, and the second six months later to ensure maximum protection.
A key part of the orientation was clarifying the role of parents and guardians. Before any student can be vaccinated, parents are required to sign a consent form. School officials highlighted that this ensures transparency and allows families to make informed decisions.
Dr. Ma. Cecilia Sargento, Municipal Health Officer, emphasized the importance of these vaccines, noting that they provide 95–97% protection against targeted diseases.
The SBI program underscores the government’s continuing effort to protect schoolchildren from preventable illnesses and promote public health through accessible, community-based vaccination campaigns.
