13/11/2024
On November 6-8, 2024 at Sero Elementary School, Cotabato City Central Pilot School and Notre Dame Village Elementary School, the Cotabato City Health Office through the initiative of National Immunization Program Manager Saada B. Salik, RN, MPA in coordination with Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP), Cotabato City Medical Society (CCMS), Ministry of Health – BARMM Maguindanao Del Norte and Philippine Pediatric Society Southern Mindanao Chapter (PPSSMC) headed by Dr. Isolde B. Mayo, FPPS, FPIDSP, CRMC Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist, conducted a Lay Forum on School-Based Immunization Program or Bakuna Eskwela. The activity was attended by parents of Grade 1 and Grade 4 students, teachers, resident doctors from CRMC, school division nurse and barangay health workers. This collaborative effort aimed to raise awareness and share expertise among the parents about the significance of vaccination in school-aged children.
Dr. Isolde B. Mayo, started the lecture with an introduction to the significance of immunization as a primary means of preventing infectious diseases among children. She highlighted the role of vaccines in protecting children from potentially life-threatening illnesses. She further discussed about the Human Papilloma Virus where she emphasized the causes of the virus and how will the HPV vaccine help in the prevention of cervical cancer. She also explained the need to vaccinate female students from 9 years to 14 years of age with HPV vaccine. Following her lecture, Dr. Datu Nhurjhun O. Salik, a CRMC pediatric residence, discussed the difference between Measles and Rubella presented in a comprehensible way. Dr. Raihanah Panambulan, chief resident of Pediatric Department and Dr. Maria Christina Bondoc-Eran, also a pediatrician from CRMC, had an in-depth discussion on Tetanus and Diphtheria diseases consecutively, where parents thoroughly understood the significance of school-based immunization.
One of the key points emphasized during the lecture was how immunization protects not only the individual but also the community. By vaccinating children in schools, the spread of vaccine preventable diseases can be minimized, contributing to the overall health and safety of the population. The guest speakers from CRMC also discussed the concept of herd immunity, where high vaccination rates lead to the protection of those who are unable to receive vaccines due to medical reasons. They also provided an overview of the most common vaccines administered in school-based programs. These included vaccines for Measles, Rubella, Tetanus, Diphtheria and Human Papilloma Virus. The importance of keeping vaccination schedules up to date was emphasized with clear guidance on when to administer each vaccine.
The activity ended with an open forum where attendees had an opportunity to ask questions and discuss specific concerns related to immunization process. Feedback from the parents indicated a high level of interest and commitment to improving vaccination rates. The school-based immunization activity resumed after the open forum ended and there was a significant increase in the percentage of children vaccinated. The said event will be conducted to other schools in Cotabato City until the end of the month.
