ILOILO – The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas, together with the Department of Education (DepEd) and local government units, has relaunched its School-Based Immunization (SBI) Program to protect more than 185,000 learners across the region from life-threatening, vaccine-preventable diseases.
The “Bakuna Eskwela” campaign, suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now back in full swing, targeting Grade 1 pupils, Grade 4 female students, and Grade 7 learners.
The coverage spans 2,877 schools across the region, with Iloilo Province having the biggest share at more than 79,000 children. Antique follows with over 26,500 targets, while Capiz has around 25,200, and Aklan nearly 23,000 children.
Smaller provinces and cities are also covered, including Guimaras with 7,700, Roxas City with 6,000, Iloilo City with 14,600, and Passi City with 3,700 students.
“The SBI was implemented even by year 2013; however, due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, it was paused as classes transitioned to online learning or students were provided with modules to study at home. Last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic was declared no longer a public health emergency of international concern, the SBI was resumed. This year, we plan to regularly implement the SBI in the succeeding years, starting with the progress made last year,” explained Dr. Jose Martin Atienza, Medical Officer III and National Immunization Program (NIP) Coordinator at DOH Region 6.
This year’s program sets specific vaccine targets: 62,843 Grade 1 pupils are due to receive measles-rubella (MR) and tetanus-diphtheria (TD) vaccines; 84,142 Grade 7 students will also get MR and TD shots; while 38,612 Grade 4 female learners will be inoculated with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer.
“Since the School-Based Immunization (SBI) regional kick-off was conducted only yesterday, we are beginning to collect data on vaccinated learners. We are just starting the school-based immunization process and are currently consolidating the data,” Atienza said.
DOH-6 reiterated that vaccines remain one of the strongest shields against disease.
“Vaccines have demonstrated their safety and effectiveness for years. These vaccines help reduce the risk of diseases by working with the body’s natural defense to build protection against various diseases,” Atienza stressed.
He assured the public that all vaccines undergo years of trials and rigorous evaluation to guarantee safety and efficacy before use. Parents and guardians are urged to cooperate by signing consent forms and ensuring their children’s attendance during vaccination days.
“It is also about breaking down myths and misinformation and building strong partnership among health workers, educators, and families to stand together against vaccine preventable diseases. In our community that various diseases lurk, always remember ‘ang bakuna ay isa sa ating solusyon para maiwasan ang mga sakit. Ang kagawaran ng kalusugan, kaagapay ang kagawaran ng edukasyon, kon saan sa bagong pilipinas ang batang bakunado, matatag,’” Atienza added.
By resuming the school-based vaccination program, health officials hope not only to safeguard learners but also to strengthen community-wide immunity that will help Western Visayas ward off future outbreaks./PN