Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Buhay ay Mahalaga!

The Valenzuela City Health Office — led by Mayor WES Gatchalian — through the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd), had its #BakunaEskwela Mini Kick Off: School-Based Immunization (SBI) at the Lawang Bato Elementary School on Friday, October 18, 2024.

According to the DOH, only 33% of children were vaccinated; whereas 66% had never been immunized since birth. With these alarming data, the DOH, with the help of DepEd, started the SBI in different public schools and various cities and municipalities. These programs are for grades 1, 4, and 7 following their guidelines and criteria on who needs to be vaccinated. 

The Valenzuela CHO started this year’s SBI at Lawang Bato Elementary School. With the parents’ and guardians’ consent and supervision, 217 students (171 grade 1 students; and 44 grade 4 students) got vaccinated and are now protected and immunized, valid for a lifetime. Grade 1 students received free immunizations against measles rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria. Grade 4 female students received their first free immunization against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) to be protected against the possibility of having cervical cancer. Further, the students underwent a screening before getting vaccinated to ensure their safety. This year, the program will continue to expand in different public schools in the city until November 2024. 

Present at the SBI were City Health Officer Dr. Marthony Basco, Valenzuela Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Noel Bagano, Lawang Bato Elementary School Principal Mr. Emil Mamiit, DOH - Valenzuela representative Dra. Glizelle Bercasio, Immunization Program Co-coordinator Dr. Kristianne Ramos and Dra. Karina Enero, and Lawang Bato Punong Barangay Opok Tolentino and Council.

Further, the City Government of Valenzuela encourages #PamilyangValenzuelano parents to get their children vaccinated by joining in these programs to make every child in the city safe and protected. 

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