DepEd allays parent fears over HPV vaccine as immunization rate lags
Students of Pinagbuhatan Elementary school get vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) during the first youth-led city-wide immunization program in Pasig City on August 30, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — The Department of Health allayed the fears of parents regarding the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as its administration to students under the school-based immunization program remains low.
DepEd-NCR Medical Officer IV and School Health and Nutrition Unit Head Dr. Connie Gepanayao said the HPV vaccination rate among eligible Grade 4 female students with consenting parents struggles at around 30%, which is way below their target of 85%.
“Maliit pa lang ang nababakunahan kaya nakakalungkot nga na sa NCR medyo mababa ang aming vaccination rate. Siguro dahil sa mga nakalipas na mga pangyayari, mga hindi magaganda katulad ng may mga nagkakasakit pagkatapos bakunahan,” Gepanayao told state media PTV in an interview on Tuesday, November 10.
The official vouched for the vaccine’s safety and efficacy, saying it has been in the market for years and has undergone thorough scientific studies and tests.
Students are also observed by doctors for 30 minutes after vaccination to address potential side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or fever, according to Gepanayao.
“Kaya mga magulang huwag po kayong matakot dahil sinisigurado ko pong ito ay ligtas at epektibo,” she said.
“Talagang niri-rest assure namin kayo, kaming mga doktor sa Department of Education at sa Department of Health, we always reiterate that this is a safe and effective vaccine against the cervical cancer na talagang marami nang pumapatay sa buong mundo,” the official added.
In a bid to meet targets, Gepanayao said school-based immunization focals will exert “extra effort” to convince parents of qualified students to consent to the vaccination.
Under the school-based immunization program, measles-rubella and tetanus-diphtheria vaccines are administered to Grade 1 and Grade 7 learners, while the HPV vaccine is given to Grade 4 female learners and Grade 5 female learners who were not vaccinated in 2025.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that increases a woman’s risk of getting cervical cancer, which can be prevented with vaccines.
The World Health Organization said cervical cancer was the fourth leading cause of cancer and cancer deaths in women in 2022, with some 660,000 new cases and around 350,000 deaths worldwide.
It also accounts for over 90% of HPV-related cancers in women.