The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is calling on parents to allow their children to get vaccinated for measles-rubella (MR), tetanus, diphtheria, and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) as it kicks off its monthlong school-based immunization program on Oct. 7.

The provincial government is targeting to vaccinate over 83,000 children from selected Grade levels.

“These vaccines for MR and tetanus-diphtheria are given as booster doses because they already received them at one year old. The HPV vaccines are for girls belonging to the age group nine to 11 years old. That’s because this is the age group before they are exposed to human papillomavirus before they indulge in sexual activities,” IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Quioñon said in an interview on Thursday.

She said they aim to give the MR and tetanus-diphtheria vaccines to 28,317 Grade 1 students, and 37,928 Grade 7 learners.

Meanwhile, HPV vaccines targeted 17,328 Grade IV learners.

“We request our parents to allow, give their consent for their children to avail the vaccination. Our health workers are present to ensure the safety of children,” Quioñon said.

On Wednesday, IPHO, in collaboration with Relief International and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, gathered health officers from 43 local government units and partner nurses from the Department of Education in preparation for the immunization. (PNA)