ILOILO – Prevention is better than cure. Over 20 local government units (LGUs) in this province have started rolling out a school-based immunization program, targeting Grade 1 and Grade 7 learners for vaccines against infectious diseases measles, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria.
Additionally, Grade 4 female learners in public schools are being administered the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine to protect against cervical cancer.
According to the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), the immunization program commenced on October 7 and will continue until October 31.
LGUs that have already started immunizing Grade 1 and Grade 7 learners include Tubungan, Tigbauan, Batad, San Joaquin, Anilao, Lambunao, Concepcion, Mina, Ajuy, San Enrique, Pototan, Bingawan, Pavia, Guimbal, Dingle, Badiangan, San Rafael, Miag-ao, San Dionisio, Estancia, Leon, Dueñas, Alimodian, and Igbaras.
Measles and Rubella Vaccination
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive red rash. It can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis.
Rubella, also known as German measles, is a milder viral infection with a rash similar to measles but can cause birth defects if contracted during pregnancy.
Out of the target 28,253 Grade 1 learners, 3,292 learners, or 11.65%, have been vaccinated with the measles and rubella vaccine.
Here’s the breakdown of the number of vaccinated learners from each LGU:Tubungan (123), Tigbauan (377), Batad (136), San Joaquin (249), Anilao (141), Lambunao (398), Concepcion (263), Mina (85), Ajuy (252), San Enrique (159), Pototan (293), Bingawan (57), Pavia (159), Guimbal (69), Dingle (104), Badiangan (50), San Rafael (37), Miag-ao (84), San Dionisio (73), Estancia (83), Leon (57), Dueñas (26), Alimodian (15), and Igbaras (2).
Meanwhile, the remaining LGUs, including Zarraga, Sara, Santa Barbara, San Miguel, Oton, New Lucena, Maasin, Lemery, Leganes, Janiuay, Dumangas, Passi City, Carles, Calinog, Cabatuan, Barotac Viejo, Barotac Nuevo, Banate, and Balasan, have not yet submitted their accomplishment reports.
Tetanus and Diphtheria Vaccination
Tetanus is a bacterial infection that causes painful muscle spasms and stiffness, often referred to as “lockjaw”, and can be fatal without treatment.
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose, leading to breathing difficulties, heart failure, or death if untreated.
Out of the target 28,253 Grade 1 learners, 3,287 learners, or 11.63%, have received the tetanus-diphtheria (TD) vaccine.
The breakdown of learners vaccinated with the TD vaccine is nearly identical to the figures for the measles and rubella vaccination.
Grade 7 Vaccination
For Grade 7 learners, the target is to vaccinate 40,178 students with measles, rubella, and TD vaccines.
As of October 16, 2,649 learners, or 6.59%, have been vaccinated.
Here’s the breakdown of vaccinated learners:Estancia (616), Lambunao (420), San Joaquin (470), Tigbauan (330), New Lucena (288), Pototan (241), San Rafael (48), Tubungan (20), San Dionisio (39), Concepcion (43), Guimbal (28), Ajuy (52), Mina (22), Batad (15), Anilao (15), and Igbaras (2)
The following LGUs have not yet submitted their accomplishment reports: Zarraga, Sara, Santa Barbara, San Miguel, San Enrique, Pavia, Oton, Miag-ao, Maasin, Leon, Lemery, Leganes, Janiuay, Dumangas, Dueñas, Dingle, Passi City, Carles, Calinog, Cabatuan, Bingawan, Barotac Viejo, Barotac Nuevo, Banate, Balasan, Badiangan, and Alimodian.
HPV Vaccination
The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a common viral infection, with certain strains linked to cervical cancer in women.
Vaccination against HPV helps reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer, particularly in young females.
The IPHO is administering the HPV vaccine to Grade 4 female learners to protect against cervical cancer. The target population for this vaccination is 18,453 learners.
As of October 16, 1,585 learners, or 8.59%, have received the HPV vaccine.
The breakdown of vaccinated learners is as follows:Batad (67), Mina (64), Concepcion (129), Anilao (77), Ajuy (146), Tubungan (46), Tigbauan (131), San Joaquin (100), Lambunao (159), Pototan (161), San Enrique (80), Bingawan (33), Pavia (85), Badiangan (27), Guimbal (38), San Dionisio (46), Dingle (44), Alimodian (39), Estancia (42), Miag-ao (31), San Rafael (9), Dueñas (7), Leon (8), Dumangas (10), Banate (5), and Igbaras (1).
No accomplishment reports have yet been submitted by LGUs such as Zarraga, Sara, Santa Barbara, San Miguel, Oton, New Lucena, Maasin, Lemery, Leganes, Janiuay, Passi City, Carles, Calinog, Cabatuan, Barotac Viejo, Barotac Nuevo, and Balasan.
Call for Parental Support
IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon urged parents and guardians to allow their children to be vaccinated to ensure protection against diseases such as measles, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria.
“I appeal to all parents in the province of Iloilo to give their consent for their children to undergo vaccination. Our health workers are here to ensure the safety of our children,” Quiñon said./PN
