THE Department of Education (DepEd) said it is studying the Department of Health (DOH) proposal to implement a “no vaccination, no enrollment” policy in public schools in view of the rising number of measles cases in the country.
At the same time, the DOH ramped up its efforts to have more children vaccinated by fielding teams even to malls, where thousands congregate daily. The mall deployment is being tried out in the DOH’s Calabarzon jurisdiction.
As for the no vaccine, no enrollment proposal, Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones pointed out that, while there is an urgent need to boost the vaccination campaign given the swiftness with which measles is spreading, the proposed policy must nonetheless consider the human rights of learners, especially their access to quality basic education.
While the DepEd is looking into different ways to regain the confidence of parents in immunization, the agency said it has made commitments with the DOH in ensuring that the learners are protected. Among these are to:
■ Develop consent form and evaluation form, which will categorize learners as “vaccinated,” “doubtful” and “not vaccinated”;
■ Verify school records and vaccination cards;
■ Gather and share data on the number of learners affected with measles;
■ Coordinate with health center staff on learners who are absent and whose parents did not give consent during vaccination; and
■ Follow up on learners who did not receive vaccination and those who opted to be inoculated by private practitioner.
The DepEd is also reviewing and explore the strengthening of Executive Order 663, Series of 2007 (Implementing the National Commitment for “Bakuna ang Una sa Sanggol at Ina,” Attaining World Health Organization’s Goals to Eliminate Measles and Neonatal Tetanus, Eradicate Polio, Control Hepatitis B and Other Vaccine-Preventable Diseases); and of EO 82, Series of 2012 (Operationalizing the Practical Guide for National Crisis Managers and the National Crisis Management Core Manual; Establishing National and Local Crisis Management Organizations; and Providing Funds Therefor)
Calabarzon DOH initiative
Relatedly, the DOH-Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) together with the City Government of Tagaytay City has launched the first vaccination center in Ayala Malls Serin at Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Silang Junction South, Tagaytay City, Cavite.
Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo acknowledged the initiative of the City Government in the coordination of deployment of continuing mass immunization campaign against measles.
“This event will increase measles vaccination coverage and reduce missed opportunities for vaccination by proving more immunization sites for children. Vaccination posts in malls, schools, fast-food chains, churches and even bus terminals are necessary so that parents living near these areas can bring their child for immunization,” he added.
“We need everybody’s cooperation and support to reach more susceptible children, and successfully prevent the spread of measles and stop its transmission in the community,” said Janairo.
One reason, he added, why some children miss their vaccination date is the fact that their parents are at work and unable to bring them to the nearest health center.
Other reasons: religious reasons, personal beliefs, safety concerns and a desire for more information from health-care providers. “That is why we need to provide the public with the right information for them to understand fully the importance of vaccines so that they can make responsible immunization decisions for their children,” said Janairo.
“Vaccination is a very important part of family and public health. It prevents the spread of contagious, dangerous, and even deadly diseases like measles, polio, mumps and chicken pox,” he stressed.