THE DEPARTMENT of Health is urging parents and guardians to prepare their children for the upcoming nationwide vaccination drive in public schools starting next week.

“Ito po ang nakikita natin lagi sa mga Bakuna Eskwela natin sa mga previous years of our experiences, ‘yung ating mga learners, ating mga anak na nahihimatay, na parang natatakot doon sa ating mga bakunahan,” said DOH Health Promotion Bureau division chief Dominic Maddumba.

Maddumba is asking parents and guardians to explain the benefits of vaccination to their children and assure them that healthcare workers and teachers will be there to ensure their safety.

“Also, pakainin po ang mga anak bago sila pumasok sa paaralan. One of the reasons rin na biglang nahihimatay o natatakot rin ‘yung mga bata ay dahil gutom sila pagpasok ng paaralan,” he added.

Maddumba also emphasized the importance of ensuring that children are physically fit for vaccination. Those with fever or other symptoms may need to postpone their immunization.

Bakuna Eskwela is the DOH’s school-based immunization program aimed at protecting learners from vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, and cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).

These diseases can lead to severe complications and death if not addressed promptly and appropriately.

The two-month vaccination drive will cover first- and seventh-grade learners for vaccines against measles-rubella and tetanus-diphtheria, as well as fourth-grade female learners for HPV shots.

Maddumba urged learners to bring their routine immunization cards on the day of vaccination to check if they have completed their doses and to avoid giving extra shots unnecessarily.