The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) said 39,423 learners in Antique availed of the school-based immunization (SBI) for Measles-Rubella (MR), Tetanus-Diphtheria (TD), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV), almost three weeks from the Nov. 30 deadline.

IPHO Information Officer Irene Duldoco, during a press conference held at the IPHO here Friday, said Antique has a high accomplishment on MR vaccination with 17,496 learners in Grades 1 and 7 availing of the immunization as of Nov. 7.

“The massive information drive among the parents and communities had resulted in more parents consenting to have their children vaccinated,” Duldoco said.

She said many parents consented to the immunization because they were convinced that vaccines are safe, given the quick response of PHO personnel and rural health teams in clarifying their doubts and questions on common adverse effects, such as redness, itchiness, and swelling on the injection site.

“There are 8,506 or 83.05 percent Grade 1 learners who had availed of the MR and 8,990 or 73.42 percent learners in Grade 7,” Duldoco said.

For the TD immunization, 8,384 or 81.86 percent of learners in Grade 1 and 8,838 or 72.18 percent in Grade 7 availed of the vaccination.

Further, 4,705 Grade 4 girls enrolled in different schools in the province received HPV vaccines for protection against cervical cancer.

The MR and TD immunization protects against measles and pertussis.

Duldoco said consent forms signed by their parents are needed for learners who are not yet vaccinated to avail of the free immunization before the deadline.

“We need consent forms before the vaccination,” she said.

The SBI kicked off at the Malandog Elementary School in San Jose de Buenavista on Oct. 9. (PNA)