DOH relaunches drive to increase schoolchildren immunization

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

LAOAG CITY—Officials Department of Health in the Ilocos region was in the province recently as it relaunched its school-based immunization program on July 31, 2019 to increase immunization of schoolchildren.

Participated in by local government officials, health workers, parents and caregivers and pupils, a community parade was conducted in downtown Laoag to advocate the importance of vaccination to protect children from infectious diseases.

In Ilocos region, John Lee Gacusan, DOH Region I senior health program officer said in an interview that they are targeting around 400,000 public school children from Grades 1 to 7 to be vaccinated with measles and rubella vaccine including a booster doses of tetanus-diphtheria vaccines.

In addition, some 50,000 female students aged 9 to 14 years old will also get vaccine against cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer in the country.

“We want to regain the trust of the public that our vaccination program is proven safe, effective and free,” said Mr. Gacusan to allay fears of some residents due to the Dengvaxia scare that dropped immunization of children nationwide.

According to Dr. Ronia Aragon, DOH development management officer, the health department is hoping to increase immunization coverage by 90 to 95 percent for the protection of children.

“Immunization is the best gift you can give to your child. From July to September, we will be in schools for the school-based immunization program,” said Ms. Aragon.

For his part, Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon enjoined parents in Laoag to allow their children to avail of the free vaccination program.

After a simple program held at the Laoag City Central Elementary School, some volunteer children participated in the ceremonial vaccination witnessed by guests and visitors.

“Vaccination is good for our children. We should let them get vaccinated especially now that there’s a surge of diseases,” said Candy dela Cruz, one of the parents of the children who were vaccinated.

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