After a temporary halt in children immunization in public schools due to the pandemic, Western Visayas region is kicking off the national resumption of the school-based vaccination program, the first in the country.
The regional offices of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in Western Visayas have announced the resumption of the program in all public schools across Region 6 in a ceremony held in Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Sept. 13.
During the kick-off rite, some 200 learners aged nine to 14 in Jose B. Puey Sr. Elementary School received their first of two doses of vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV), while other batch of grade schoolers were administered vaccines against measles, tetanus and diphtheria.
“This initiative is not just about the administration of vaccines. It is about building a culture of health within our schools. It is about educating our students, parents, and communities on the importance of vaccines and dispelling myths and misinformation that too often surround them,” said Dr. Adriano Suba-an, Region 6 director of the Department of Health.
“It is about fostering partnership between and among health professionals, educators, families to create a unified front in the fights against preventable diseases, he added.
The program, which has been in place since 2015 aims to protect students from preventable diseases by providing essential vaccines, preventing immediate threats, and addressing long-term health risks that could impact the future well-being of students.
With the resumption of the school-based immunization for a more comprehensive approach to public health is the continuing campaign to fight cervical cancer caused by HPV.
The provinces of Aklan, Capiz and Guimaras have started implementing community-based HPV vaccinations since 2023, completing the one community approach along with Negros, Iloilo, and Antique that have been vaccinating children against the disease since 2022.
Cervical cancer remains a significant health burden, particularly in Asia, where it accounts for 58 percent of global deaths from the disease. In the Philippines alone, at least 12 women die daily from cervical cancer, making it the second most frequent cancer among women aged 15 to 44.
However, cervical cancer is a type of disease that is highly preventable. The combination of HPV vaccination and cervical screening can provide the greatest protection against this disease.
“Without good health, a child’s ability to learn, play and thrive is compromised. It is our shared responsibility to create a safe, supportive environment where children can grow up healthy and strong. Immunization as long been recognized as one of the most effective public health interventions. We’ve been vaccinating for a long time, but our target is to give to at least 95 percent. Immunization is simple yet powerful tool that has saved millions of lives and protected countless others from debilitating diseases,” said Suba-an.
As the Western Visayas region moves forward with the implementation of the school-based immunization program, other regions are expected to follow suit as a testament to the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health of future generations through accessible and comprehensive healthcare initiatives.
