NATIONWIDE SCHOOL VACCINATION PROGRAM ON OCTOBER – DOH

DepEd and DOH is working to target zero-dose children through its Bakuna-Eskwela program that will be launched in public schools across the country (Photo courtesy of Talisay Government/Rappler)

The Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Education (DepEd) is set to start a nationwide school vaccination program “Bakuna-Eskwela” on October 7 expanding the National Immunization Program (NIP).

“The private sector immunizes about 10% of the 2 million children every year. The total estimate is, we’d like to vaccinate about 2 million children born every year — it’s about 1.7 to 2 million every year if we are able to vaccinate them,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.

Under the Republic Act 10152 or the Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act of 2011, children are required to receive vaccinations against these vaccine-preventable diseases. The DOH said if parents refuse to consent to their child's vaccination, t will collaborate with local government units to deploy health workers who will address concerns and provide information about the vaccine's safety and benefits.

Children in the first, fourth, and seventh grades will receive the immunization who might have missed vaccinations during the CoVid-19 pandemic. Students in grades four and seven are targeted for the HPV vaccination which has to be given before they become sexually active.

The National Immunization Program includes one dose of BCG vaccine for tuberculosis; three doses of pentavalent vaccine for diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Hepatitis B, and haemophilus influenza; three doses of polio vaccine; two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine; and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for children below the age of one should be vaccinated against 11 diseases.

“We will do the launch on October 7, but every Friday for October, children who want to be vaccinated can get vaccinated at all DepEd schools. I am here with Secretary Sonny Angara in the launch and implementation of the school-based immunization program,” Herbosa stated.

The DOH are also looking at the possibility of expanding the program to private schools, but for now, the agency prioritizes the students in public schools, planning with public and private partnership that a “whole-of-society” approach is needed to make sure vaccines reach even far-flung communities.

Source: GMA Integrated News

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