THE Makati City government has relaunched its Bakuna Eskwela program, targeting Grade 1, Grade 4 (female), and Grade 7 students in 24 public elementary and high schools in the city.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd) rolled out their joint Bakuna Eskwela program in Noveleta, Cavite, aiming to immunize public school pupils from Grade 1 to Grade 7 against measles-rubella and tetanus infection.
The twin initiatives aims to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
The Makati inoculation program covers measles, rubella, and tetanus-diphtheria vaccines for Grades 1 and 7. Meanwhile, Grade 4 female students will receive HPV vaccines in two doses over six months.
Mayor Abigail Binay said th e program targets a total of 7,621 students in Makati from Oct. 11 to Nov. 22 this year.
“Makati has always prioritized the health of our students. By restarting our school-based immunization program, we are taking another crucial step in safeguarding our children’s health and ensuring they have the protection they need as they continue their education in a safe environment,” Binay said.
She emphasized that the program aims to reach every eligible child and prevent the spread of diseases that can easily be avoided through vaccination.
“The health and well-being of our students are non-negotiable, and Makati stands firm in this commitment,” Binay added.
According to the Makati Health Department, the free immunization program includes measles, rubella, and tetanus-diphtheria vaccines for Grades 1 and 7. Additionally, Grade 4 female students will receive the HPV vaccine in two doses over six months.
Makati also provides the following free vaccines to infants and children aged 0 to 12 months: Hepatitis B (at birth), BCG (at birth), PENTA Hib (sixweeks, 10 weeks, and 14th week), OPV (six weeks, 10 weeks, and 14th week), IPV (14th week and 9th month), MR at nine months, and MMR at one-year-old.
Dr. Maria Hilda Bucu, Rural Health Office chief, led the launch of the vaccination the program at Noveleta Elementary School in Barangay San Rafael 1
Female Grade 4 students will be vaccinated for HPV jabs as protection against cervical cancer.
The Vaccine Eskwela Team will tour nine public grade schools in the area to implement the free vaccination under the auspices of the national government, Noveleta Mayor Dino Chua said.
The RHU is also conducting a fogging drive in collaboration with the personnel of the Municipal Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office in 16 barangays in the town to prevent dengue outbreak.
