THE DEPARTMENT of Education said it supports the pediatric vaccination rollout as it is vital for the return of children to schools.

During the Resbakuna rollout for kids 5-11 years old at SM Megamall, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said that the vaccination drive for children is pivotal to the gradual reintroduction of face-to-face classes and the general welfare of Filipino learners.

“We are passionately committed to this program of vaccination, especially for the children, since we believe that the future of our learners is related to well-being, mental health, and physical health. We cannot achieve and move to new forms and ways of teaching unless our children are healthy,” Briones said.

The education department already issued the DepEd Task Force Covid19 Memorandum No. 606, stating the agency’s support to the Pediatric Vaccination of ages 5 to 11.

The memo noted that the inoculation drive for younger kids is an essential component of the ongoing efforts to accelerate the safe nationwide expansion of face-to-face classes.

The DTFC Memo No. 606 also states that learners who will be vaccinated during school days should be excused from attending classes. They will also need to present their vaccination cards to their teachers.

All DepEd personnel, especially concerned school health personnel and information officers, were encouraged to support the vaccination drive and disseminate information to increase the confidence in immunization among children.