The Department of Health (DOH) Central Luzon Center for Health Development (CLCHD) has stepped up its campaign against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) by teaming up with the Department of Education (DepEd) to expand vaccination coverage in schools and communities. The effort aims to protect more children, particularly those who may have missed their scheduled shots.

DOH CLCHD Family Health Cluster Nurse Shiela Ann Esteban said health workers are conducting community reach-outs to vaccinate Grade 1 pupils aged 6–7 and Grade 7 students aged 12–13 who were not immunized in school. These doses serve as boosters to strengthen protection from vaccines given during early childhood.

The program targets diseases such as measles, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, and cervical cancer. Esteban stressed the importance of booster shots, noting that measles can still infect children even after two initial doses. She also highlighted the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine being provided to Grade 4 female students aged nine and above, which helps prevent HPV-related cancers, particularly cervical cancer.

The DOH CLCHD appealed to parents and guardians to support the program by allowing their children to receive the free vaccines offered in public and private schools. Esteban underscored that timely immunization is vital in preventing serious illness, adding that the strengthened campaign aims to keep Central Luzon children healthier and better protected against preventable diseases.

The post DOH boosts child immunization drive appeared first on 1Bataan.