THE DEPARTMENT of Education and the Department of Health have launched “Bakuna Eskwela,” a school-based immunization program aimed at protecting students from life-threatening, vaccine-preventable diseases.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Health Secretary Ted Herbosa led the program’s kickoff at Dr. A. Albert Elementary School in Manila.

The immunization program, scheduled from October to November 2024, will be implemented in selected public schools across various provinces. It will focus on vaccines for measles, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, and human papillomavirus (HPV).

“Thank you to President [Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.] for his support for this program at nabanggit nga ni Sec. Ted Herbosa ‘yong HPV virus, mga magulang, ang ginagastos diyan Php4,000 at nagdesisyon para maging libre ‘yan sa pangungumbinse ni Sec. Ted Herbosa kay no less than our President,” Angara said.

With a total budget allocation of P853 million, “Bakuna Eskwela” aims to immunize at least 3.8 million public school students enrolled in Grades 1 and 7.

The program also targets the immunization of 973,930 female Grade 4 students with the HPV vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer.

“Sa bakuna, we can ensure our learners stay in school and don’t miss valuable learning opportunities. As EDCOM’s studies show, some schools lost as much as 53 days of instruction in a single school year due to various health-related issues,” Angara noted.