Adi Joaquim Tolentino

The Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Health (DOH) launched a School-Based Immunization Program, “Bakuna Eskwela” amounting to P853-million in public schools to protect students from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD).

Photo Courtesy of DOH/DepEd/The Manila Times.

During the kickoff ceremony held at the Dr. A. Albert Elementary School in Sampaloc Manila on Oct. 7, Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Health Secretary Ted Herbosa spearheaded the revival of Bakuna Eskwela after a four-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"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 said.

With a total budget allocation of P853 million, the campaign aims to vaccinate an estimated 3.8 million public school students enrolled in Grades 1 and 7 with measles, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria (MR-Td) vaccines, and  973,930 female Grade 4 public school students to protect against Human papillomavirus (HPV).

“Thank you to the 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,” he noted.

Angara mentioned that the national government, local government units, and schools must cooperate to protect children against diseases to ensure a bright future.

“Education is a shared responsibility. Lahat tayo ay may responsibilidad sa ating mga kabataan, the National Government, the Local Government Units, schools, must come together to realize this initiative’s potentials. We must protect our children today to ensure our country’s healthy and bright future. Sa Bagong Pilipinas, walang maiiwan na bata, malusog, magaling, matalino,” he added.

The DepEd chief emphasized that this program is aligned with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ directive during his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, 2024, to focus on improving educational outcomes.

“School-based immunization strengthens this agenda, particularly in ensuring the physical and mental well-being of learners to enjoy learning that is free from health burdens and putting a premium on ensuring a positive learning experience for our learners,” he expressed.

Herbosa thanked the President for supporting the revival of the program.

“Our goal is to create a safe environment and ensure health and well-being of every Filipino child. Ngayong Oktubre at Nobyembre, we will unite and campaign together with the Department of Education to save our children from these Vaccine-Preventable Diseases,” Sec. Herbosa stated.

In a video posted by DepEd, President Marcos stated that vaccination is effective in protecting our bodies against diseases.

“Sa kasalukuyan, nasa 34% lamang ng ating kabataan ang bakunado, ang iba ay matuturing na zero dose mula nung sila ay pinananganak,” Marcos said.

He encouraged the parents of the students to participate in this immunization program for the betterment of the country.

As the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic began, the country led to a worrying decline in vaccination rates.

From Jan. 1 to Sept. 14, 2024, DOH recorded 3,356 cases of measles and rubella with 11 deaths, 215 cases of diphtheria with 25 deaths, and 81 cases of neonatal tetanus with 44 deaths.

The department also documented 7,897 diagnosed women with cervical cancer, and 4,052 led to annual deaths.

Sec. Herbosa expressed that these deaths could have been prevented through vaccination.

DepEd and DOH seek cooperation in reviving Bakuna Eskwela as it has been successful in reducing outbreaks of VPDs among schoolchildren since 2015.