Sto. Tomas, Batangas, is spearheading an ambitious public health initiative aimed at combating cervical cancer through its specialized human papillomavirus (HPV) catch-up vaccination program. Dubbed “SHEmpre Ligtas: Sapat na Kaalaman ng Kabataan sa Malusog na Hinaharap”, the program focuses on vaccinating 14-year-old girls, complementing the Department of Health’s (DOH) existing immunization program.
Recognizing the urgency, the LGU led by Mayor Arth Jhun Marasigan, Vice Mayor Catherine Jaurige-Perez and the City Council procured 1,763 additional doses of HPV vaccines to complement the Department of Health’s (DOH) allocation to ensure that girls aged 9 to 14 are fully protected against cervical cancer.
“When I first assumed office, there were no dedicated cancer prevention programs in our city. Cervical cancer claims the lives of 12 women every day in our country despite being preventable. This initiative ensures that every Tomasino girl has access to life-saving vaccines,” Mayor Marasigan said.
Dr. Arnielyn Aguirre, a physician and Health Education Promotion Unit (HEPU) Adviser at the LGU’s Cancer Control Program, highlighted the strategic focus on 14-year-olds during the program launch.
“Targeting 14-year-old girls is crucial because they are often left out of the earlier vaccination drives. This program bridges that gap, ensuring full protection before the age threshold of 15, when the regimen becomes more complex,” Dr. Aguirre explained.
The SHEmpre Ligtas program is part of the LGU’s comprehensive Student Health Education Program (SHEProgram), led by the HEPU. This initiative focuses on equipping young girls with the knowledge and confidence to prioritize their health, and aligns with the nationwide school-based immunization program (SBI) of the government, which was relaunched in October this year, to focus on providing Grade 4 female students with two doses of the HPV vaccine, six months apart, as a proven strategy to maximize protection.
“Education and early intervention are key,” Dr. Aguirre said, “and we aim to empower young women with knowledge and tools they need to lead healthy lives.” During the event, Dr. Aguirre also called it an early Christmas gift and expressed gratitude to parents and teachers for their role in promoting the initiative, putting special emphasis on the importance of education in dispelling myths about vaccines.
“Vaccines do not kill; they save lives,” she affirmed. “This is a great holiday gift – the gift of health — from the city government. The HPV vaccine, which costs up to P 4,000 per dose in private clinics, is now being offered here for free to all 14-year-old girls in Sto. Tomas.”
With education, vaccination, and treatment as its pillars, the SHEmpre Ligtas program represents a bold step toward a cervical cancer-free future.
