The local government of Guagua in Pampanga has teamed up with various stakeholders, including those from the private sector, to combat human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cervical cancer among the youth.
Guagua Mayor Anthony Joseph Torres and representatives of the regional offices of the Department of Health and the Department of Education joined the HPV vaccination program held at Guagua National College in Pampanga yesterday.
The large-scale school-based vaccination was organized in partnership with healthcare company MSD.
The event, with the theme “Sa Aking Paglaki, Walang HPV,” marked a significant step toward fortifying the community’s defenses against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda and former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also attended the vaccination program.
This initiative was aligned with the DOH’s commitment to promoting “Kalasag ng Kalusugan” (Health Shield) which calls for collective action to protect every Filipino woman from the burden of cervical cancer by making healthcare services and vaccines accessible to all communities.
The event also featured an educational forum where medical experts provided relevant health information about HPV infections and cervical cancer.
Under the DOH’s School-Based Immunization Program, Grade 4 students are eligible to receive the two HPV vaccine doses, six months apart, to safeguard against cervical cancer.
Immunogenicity studies have shown that two doses provide better protection for the younger age group. Early vaccination before HPV exposure is also more effective.
Parental consent is mandatory for eligible female learners to receive the free vaccines.
The DepEd has instructed all schools conducting face-to-face classes to resume the delivery of school-based health services, including immunization.