SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) — The Provincial Health Office (PHO) here reiterates the benefits of immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases, especially among kids.
In a radio interview, Health Education and Promotion Officer (HEPO) nurse Joenes Jereza from the PHO highlighted the protection vaccines bring to individuals and the community, as a whole.
He pointed out that when a large population is vaccinated, herd immunity can be achieved and viruses can no longer easily spread and infect more people.
Jereza said this would eventually lead to a healthier community that is free from diseases and fosters holistic development for the younger generation.
With this, the PHO, together with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd), continues the rollout of vaccines to students throughout the province.
This is through the “Bakuna Eskwela” school-based immunization program, intended to administer Measles-Rubella (MR) and Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) vaccines to Grade 1 and 7 students and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to Grade 4 students.
Jereza noted that MR and Td vaccines are particularly given to new school entrants, such as Grade 1 students in elementary school and Grade 7 students for junior high school, to ensure the overall health and well-being of the academic community they were introduced to.
Meanwhile, he stressed that early HPV vaccination to female Grade 4 students would help lessen their risk of HPV-related diseases, as well as cervical cancer.
“Kung ang aton kabataan wara nabakunahan ukon wara nadugangan ang bakuna, posible nga sanda ma-igo kang vaccine-preventable diseases, ukon mga balatian nga pwede malikawan paagi sa pagbakuna,” said Jereza.
(If we do not vaccinate our children or add booster doses, they might get infected with vaccine-preventable diseases.)
Since the launch of the Bakuna Eskwela, health authorities, and rural health offices have been ramping up efforts to vaccinate the target population throughout the province and protect children against vaccine-preventable diseases.
With the benefits immunization offers to the community, the Provincial Health Office pleads with the public to support Bakuna Eskwela and other immunization initiatives, assuring that vaccines are safe and effective. (AGP/BPS/PIA Antique)
