MARAWI
CITY, Lanao del Sur, Aug. 7 (PIA) --- More than 200,000 students in the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will receive free
immunization from the region’s Department of Health (DOH-ARMM) within
this month.
Around 55,000 Grade 1 and 157,000 Grade 7 pupils from
different public schools in the region are targeted to receive free
immunization against measles, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria. These
are infectious diseases that could cause serious illness and disability
and could even cause death in worst cases.
The school-based
immunization program is part of the DOH’s national drive dubbed “Bakuna
para sa Kabataan, Proteksyon sa Kinabukasan.” The program is pursued in
coordination with the region’s Department of Education and Department of
the Interior and Local Government.
The immunization program
was officially launched in the region on Monday, August 3, in
Maguindanao province. As of date, DOH-ARMM already immunized students in
the provinces of Sulu and Basilan, including the city of Lamitan. The
program will run until the end of the month.
DOH-ARMM
officials said the vaccines used for the program are safe and effective,
approved by the World Health Organization, and are used worldwide.
An orientation involving the parents, guardians, as well as teachers, are conducted prior to the actual immunization.
Students
could experience discomfort due to the painful yet tolerable
administration of the vaccine. The vaccine might also have possible
side effects such as fainting, swelling or redness on the injection
area, fever, and rashes, DOH-ARMM noted.
The school-based
immunization program targets to immunize over 2.4 million Grade 1 and
more than 1.6 million Grade 7 pupils all over the Philippines. However,
only children with consent forms from their parents, or guardians would
undergo immunization. (BPI/APB/PIA-10
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