To protect students from life-threatening vaccine-preventable diseases, the City Health Office in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Department of Education rolls out the ‘Bakuna Eskwela”, a school-based immunization (SBI) program.

Mayor Khymer Olaso together with DOH-9 OIC Assistant Regional Director Dr. Augusto Manolo G. Alpichi, City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Miravite led the kickoff event at the Baliwasan Central School Wednesday, October 1.

Mayor Olaso emphasized the importance of safeguarding the health and future of the youth, as he expressed full support to the revival of the SBI program.

Dr. Alpichi and Dr. Miravite underscored the importance of vaccination stressing that it is one of the most effective measures to protect children from preventable diseases.

Bakuna Eskwela will be rolled out in public elementary schools across the city from Oct. 1 to 31 targeting Grades 1, 4 and 7 students. It aims to reach more learners and guarantee that every child has access to life-saving vaccines focusing on measles, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations.

Messages of support were also delivered by Baliwasan Chairperson Ma. Czarina Jamielyn Cabato, and representatives from the Barangay Health Center, Schools Division Office and the Office of Councilor Hanna Nuno, who is the chair of the Council Committee on Health. Bryant Labastida of the DOH-9 reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the continuous protection of children through health interventions. (Fatima Jubail) (photo credits: Miljohn Mancao)