TO REACH the target 95 percent immunization rate, the Department of Health (DOH) is extending its campaign on free vaccination in public schools nationwide until the end of September this year.

Bakuna para sa Kabataan, Proteksiyon sa Kinabukasan is a free immunization program initiated last August 3 and given to Grades 1 and 7 students in public schools nationwide.

The target rate was set to ensure immunity from four diseases among the age groups.

DOH reported that the School-Based Immunization Program, which is on its fourth week, already vaccinated 407,757 out of 2,470,657 or 17 percent against Measles-Rubella (MR) to Grade 1 students and 391,077 out of 1,845,005 or 21 percent of enrolled Grade 7 students.

In addition, 553,319 out of 2,470,657 or 22 percent of enrolled Grade 1 students and 391,813 out of 1,845,005 or 21 percent of enrolled Grade 7 students were vaccinated against Tetanus-Diphtheria.

Health Secretary Janette P. Loreto-Garin said that parents must allow their children to be vaccinated, as vaccines provide life-long immunity against tetanus and diphtheria and will help reduce sickness and death due to measles and rubella.

Garin said that immunization can avert about two to three million deaths every year from diphtheria, tetanus, measles, rubella (German measles). (LCP)