Building a Healthier Future: The Importance of Vaccines and Hygiene in Schools!

In the Philippines, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health (DOH) launched a joint school-based immunization program called "Bakuna Eskwela." The program, which began today, January 31, 2025, at Buhawen Elementary School in Manila, aims to protect school-aged children from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) such as human papillomavirus (HPV), tetanus, rubella, measles, and diphtheria.

During the initial orientation of the program, the DOH informed parents about the vaccine their children would receive. This is to avoid inquiries and potential problems after the vaccination.

As part of the program, at least 3.8 million public school students in grades 1 through 7 will receive the measles-rubella (MR) and tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccines. Furthermore, the HPV vaccine, which prevents cervical cancer, is scheduled to be administered to approximately 973,930 female Grade 4 students in specific public schools.

The goal here is to promote a healthier school environment. Students in good health are more likely to attend class regularly, resulting in fewer illness-related absences. Prevents infectious diseases from spreading in the classroom, making learning environments safer for teachers and students.
By distributing vaccines in schools, the program ensures that children receive vaccinations at the appropriate age. It reduces the likelihood of serious complications from diseases that can be avoided in childhood and later in life.

Additionally, this reduces the burden on parents. Vaccinating their children at health clinics does not require parents to take time off work or pay more. Families feel less stressed when vaccines are easily accessible at school.

It raises awareness about the benefits of immunizations. It educates students, parents, and teachers about the benefits and safety of vaccines. It helps communities overcome misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.
Since it is impossible to keep children, particularly those in primary school, from crying and becoming scared during vaccination, DOH members reward the brave students with candies and biscuits.

Finally, the Philippine government's "Bakuna Eskwela" project is a significant effort to protect the health of millions of students by administering necessary vaccinations in a school setting.

Overall, Bakuna Eskwela is a life-saving program that ensures children are healthy, ready for school, and protected from preventable illnesses.

We then performed the handwashing exercise as well. 

Students can learn good hygiene and the importance of handwashing to avoid illness by participating in an entertaining and instructive handwashing activity in class.

Handwashing exercises benefit students, including improved hygiene, health, and positive behavior. Here are a few significant advantages:

This activity helps students stay in school and learn more effectively by reducing absenteeism due to illness and the risk of infections such as stomach viruses, the flu, and colds.

It promotes hygiene practices. Teaches young children the importance of personal hygiene. Encourages a lifetime of consistent handwashing, which benefits overall health.

Increases awareness and learning. Hygiene education is made more enjoyable by interactive exercises such as handwashing songs, experiments, and demonstrations, which also help students understand how germs spread and how to protect themselves.

Improves the overall cleanliness of the school. Reduces the contamination of communal surfaces. Improves the classroom environment for both teachers and students.

Boosts Confidence & Social Responsibility. Promotes responsibility for one's health and the well-being of others. Provides students with assurance that they are taking precautions to keep themselves and their classmates safe.
Encourages a healthy lifestyle. Improves other health-related lessons, such as the value of exercise and a nutritious diet. Encourages self-care, which is associated with overall health and a balanced lifestyle.

Encourages community and parental involvement. Parents can reinforce handwashing practices at home. Schools and health organizations can collaborate to implement community-wide hygiene programs.

Knowing that they provide a healthier learning environment for our students makes us teachers extremely happy and satisfied.

Seeing students take control of their health can inspire educators to continue promoting healthy behaviors.

A healthier classroom environment promotes a more positive and lively atmosphere. A healthy environment produces happy students who can confidently participate, learn, and play.

A healthier school environment leads to a happier, more productive, and enthusiastic students and teachers!