The Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), launched its vaccination campaign “Bakuna Eskwela” on Monday.
The school-based immunization program aims to protect school-age children nationwide against measles, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria (MR, Td), and human papillomavirus (HPV).
Specifically, it seeks to immunize at least 3.8 million public school students enrolled in Grades 1 and 7 with MR and Td vaccines and another 973,930 female Grade 4 students in select public schools with the HPV vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer.
With a total budget allocation of P853 million, Bakuna Eskwela will be implemented across public schools nationwide until November 2024.
School-based immunization (SBI) was previously suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic due to mobility restrictions. DOH and DepEd said that now that classes are delivered face-to-face, SBI is at full capacity following the issuance of DOH Department Memorandum 2024-0250 and supported by DepEd Memorandum 2024-03-06789.
“We always welcome and even pursue opportunities to collaborate with the DOH that will help us achieve our five-point agenda, pursuant to the SONA directives of President Marcos, to focus on improving education outcomes. School-based immunization strengthens this agenda, particularly in ensuring the physical and mental well-being of learners to enjoy learning that is free from health burdens and putting a premium on ensuring a positive learning experience for our learners,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.
“We thank President Marcos Jr. for his strong support for saving lives through immunization. We also thank our partners from the DepEd and the local government units across the country for helping us save the lives of our students,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa likewise said.
