Davao City Health Office says school-based vaccines are safe, urges parental consent
The City Health Office, DOH and DepEd have launched free school-based immunization for selected grade levels in Davao City public schools, with signed parental consent required.
The Davao City Health Office (CHO) has assured parents that vaccines given under the School-Based Immunization (SBI) campaign are safe and effective, according to SunStar, citing the City Information Office (CIO).
The CHO is running the campaign with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd). It formally began on October 20, 2026, at Magallanes Elementary School.
Dr. Ma. Vilma Gonzaga, assistant city health officer for operations, told the CIO that all vaccines used in the program have met strict safety and efficacy standards and are approved by the BFAD. She added that the shots are free in all public schools.
Under the program, boys and girls in Grade 1 and Grade 7 will receive the measles, rubella, tetanus and diphtheria (MRTD) vaccine. Girls in Grades 4 and 5 will be given the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which protects against HPV infection and cervical cancer.
Gonzaga stressed that no child will be vaccinated without the knowledge and approval of a parent or guardian. A signed consent form is required before any vaccine is given. She appealed to parents to sign the form, saying a single signature can help protect their children.
Two parents, Marykim O. Torno and Christopher Deo Lontok, voiced support for the program. Torno urged other parents to take advantage of the free shots, noting that HPV vaccines can be expensive at private facilities. She said her family sought advice beforehand and was assured the vaccine was safe.
Lontok said he joined the program to protect his child's health both now and in the years ahead. He added that he trusted the vaccine because it would not be approved without evaluation by doctors.
Learners who miss the scheduled vaccination in their schools can still get free doses at any city health center, the CHO said.
Why it matters for Davao
Parents of public school pupils in the covered grade levels need to sign consent forms for their children to receive free MRTD or HPV vaccines. Those who miss the school schedule can still get the shots for free at city health centers.
This article was written by the DavaoNews desk with AI assistance, using reporting by SunStar. Facts come from the original report, which we credit and link below. Our editorial policy
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