DOH conducts school-based immunization program in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 100 Grade 7 students at the Ramon Magsaysay High School received vaccines on Tuesday as the Department of Health conducted its third school-based immunization program this school year.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a press briefing that the Grade 7 students were vaccinated against Measles and Rubella, and given booster shots of Tetanus and Diphtheria vaccines.

Following this, Duque encouraged mothers and caregivers to avail of the government’s free immunization service for the benefit of the children.

“To all parents and caregivers, protect your children against vaccine preventable diseases. Bring them back to the health centers and get them vaccinated,” he said.

PHOTO by CATHY MIRANDA / INQUIRER.net

According to Duque, school children from kindergarten to grade 7 are the target population to be vaccinated in this year’s school-based immunization drive.

He said that only learners with parental consent will be vaccinated after health officers have assessed and evaluated their immunization status against measles.

School-based immunization pre-implementation started last June but actual vaccination using selective strategy in the country’s different regions will be until September 2019. /je