(Eagle News)—-The Department of Education is studying the Department of Health’s proposed “no-vaccination, no-enrollment policy” in public schools following the increase in measles cases in the country.
“As much as there is a growing need to reinvigorate the campaign for the importance of vaccination, Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones emphasizes that the proposed policy must take into consideration the human rights of learners, especially their access to quality basic education,” the DepEd said.
According to the education department, so far, the following “commitments” with DOH were done to ensure that the “learners are protected”:
– To develop a consent form and evaluation form, which will categorize learners as “vaccinated,” “doubtful,” and “not vaccinated”
– To verify school records and vaccination cards
– To gather and share data on the number of learners affected with measles
– To coordinate with health center staff on learners who are absent and whose parents did not give consent during vaccination
– To follow up on learners who did not receive vaccination and those who opted to be inoculated by private practitioner
– To review and explore the strengthening of Executive Order No. 663, series 2007 (Implementing the National Commitment for “Bakuna ang Una sa Sanggol at Ina,” Attaining World Health Organization’s Goals to Eliminate Measles and Neonatal Tetanus, Eradicate Polio, Control Hepatitis B and Other Vaccine-Preventable Diseases) and of Executive Order No. 82, series 2012 (Operationalizing the Practical Guide for National Crisis Managers and the National Crisis Management Core Manual; Establishing National and Local Crisis Management Organizations; and Providing Funds Therefore)
“Learners, parents, teaching and non-academic personnel, and stakeholders may rest assured that the Department is working closely with DOH in monitoring measles cases and in strengthening efforts to combat the disease,” the DepEd said.
A measles outbreak has been declared in parts of the country including Metro Manila due to the spike in measles cases.
According to the DOH, there are 11,459 cases of measles nationwide as of February 20.
