THE regional office of the Department of Health (DOH) in Ilocos is eyeing to vaccinate this October some 165,000 students as part of its immunization program against measles, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, and human papilloma virus (HPV).

In a statement, DOH – Region I Director Paula Paz Sydiongco said an estimated 150,000 Grade 1 and Grade 7 students, and 15,000 Grade 4 female learners are being targeted as beneficiaries of the free school-based immunization program.

“The school-based immunization will be implemented for the whole month of October to provide booster and protect students from vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Sydiongco.

Under the program, students Grades 1 and 7 students are eligible to receive vaccines for measles-rubella and tetanus-diphtheria.

On the other hand, Grade 4 girls are qualified to receive vaccines against HPV, which causes cervical cancer.

Sydiongco stressed that the immunization for students will not be mandatory as it will require parental consent.

The health official, though, strongly encouraged parents to have their children immunized against the vaccine-preventable diseases.

“These vaccines offered by the DOH are safe and effective against the said diseases. Thus, we are urging parents to have their children vaccinated so they can be protected against these illnesses,” she said.