Koronadal City, South Cotabato – The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO)-South Cotabato is gearing up for the nationwide School-Based Immunization (SBI) Program scheduled this October, with a target of achieving 95% herd immunity among children in elementary grades 1, 4, and 7 — a total of 48,072 schoolchildren across the province.
According to Genesis Q. Navales, National Immunization Program (NIP) Coordinator and Nurse III, the IPHO aims to vaccinate 17,282 Grade 1 pupils against tetanus and diphtheria, 9,866 Grade 4 pupils against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and 20,823 Grade 7 students against measles-rubella.
Navales emphasized that the vaccines will be administered free of charge, if students present a consent form signed by their parents or guardians.
The simultaneous nationwide immunization activity will be conducted in all participating schools this coming October.
