Iloilo: The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is calling on parents to support a school-based immunization initiative aimed at vaccinating 80,623 learners in public schools across the province.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Bakuna Eskwela program will commence this month and continue through September. The initiative is set to cover 27,231 Grade 1 and 36,278 Grade 7 learners for measles, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria vaccinations, as well as 17,114 Grade 4 female learners for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

“The Bakuna Eskwela program of the Department of Health and the Department of Education aims to protect learners from vaccine-preventable diseases,” stated Dr. Rodney Labis, IPHO head of health service delivery division, during a media interview on Wednesday.

Dr. Labis emphasized the importance of the program as an opportunity for health workers to provide protection to children who may not have received any vaccines since early childhood. He urged parents to participate in Parent-Teacher Association meetings to better understand the immunization program.

Dr. Labis also highlighted the importance of educating target children on the benefits of vaccination. He advised that children should be well-rested and have eaten on the day of immunization.

“Our vaccines are free and proven effective for children,” he affirmed.

Following the completion of the Bakuna Eskwela program, vaccination teams will conduct a mop-up immunization either in schools or in barangay health centers to ensure comprehensive coverage of all target children.