ANGELES CITY – Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. ordered the administration of two doses of Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) vaccines to some 3,000 female children ages 9 to 14 years old enrolled in Grade 4 in all public schools here beginning November 20 until November 24, 2023.
The said vaccines are for protection against infection from HPV — a group of more than 200 related viruses, which can cause genital warts and certain types of cancer (cervical, anal, oropharyngeal, penile, vulvar, and vaginal).
Lazatin, together with members of the City Health Office (CHO) and Gender and Development Office (GAD), will visit all the 43 public schools, bringing the vaccines closer to the Grade 4 student-beneficiaries.
“Kailangan po nating pangalagaan ang kalusugan ng ating mga kabataang kababaihan, para mas makapaghanda sila para sa mas magandang kinabukasan,” Lazatin said.
Lazatin’s Chief Adviser IC Calaguas and Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel on November 7, 2023 supervised a meeting with Gender and Development Officer Mina Cabiles, City Health Assistant Officer Dr. Cristine Joy Patio, and CHO Nurse Supervisor Evelinda Mariano to discuss the schedule, logistics, and target population of the free HPV vaccines.
According to Cabiles, the city government will roam throughout the public schools to administer the vaccines.
“Iikot po mismo tayo sa lahat ng pampublikong paaralan, at babakunahan po natin ang lahat ng mga batang babaeng Angeleno edad 9-14 years old, para maprotektahan po sila laban sa HPV,” Cabiles said.
According to City Health Officer Dr. Verona Guevarra, HPV vaccination is routinely recommended at age 11 or 14 years, and can be started as early as 9 years of age.
Lazatin is also urging all parents to have their female children get vaccinated against HPV.
It can be recalled that in 2020 and 2021 the city government had already conducted the first and second doses of community-based immunization of HPV vaccines to female children ages 9-14 years old in the 33 barangays.
Lazatin recognized the City health midwives and staff of GAD for their dedication to the program.
“Maraming salamat po sa inyo sa pagiging katuwang ng siyudad para sa pagseguro ng kalusugan ng mga kabataang kababaihan,” Lazatin said.
Part of the priority programs of Mayor Lazatin is the health of Angeleños.
