The local government of Pasig City launched the “Bakuna Eskwela+” program to protect all students in the city against infectious diseases such as measles (tigdas), rubella (tigdas-hangin), diphtheria, and tetanus.
City Mayor Vico Sotto said that the vaccines are free and that the vaccination will be held for the whole month of October.
It will be available for all students from grades one to seven in the city's public schools.
He added that deworming tablets are also available, which aim to fight parasitic infections.
“Bakuna Eskwela+, bakit po ‘plus’? Dahil bukod sa mga bakuna, ay dadagdagan pa natin ito ng mga gamot laban sa bulate na isa sa mga sanhi ng malnutrisyon sa ating mga kabataan (Why is it plus? Because, aside from the vaccines, we are also including deworming medication, which is one of the causes of malnutrition among our youth),” Sotto said.
For female grade four students, a vaccine for cervical cancer is also available.
For parents who are interested in getting their children vaccinated, they are encouraged to coordinate with school nurses and teachers.
“Sama-sama po nating proteksyunan ang ating mga mag-aaral, ating mga kabataan laban sa mga sakit na p'wede naman pong iwasan sa pamamagitan ng mga bakuna at pampurga (Let us all protect our students and youth from diseases that can be prevented through vaccinations and deworming medication),” the mayor said.