Makati City Leads Preventive Care Through School-Based Vaccination Program

The City Government of Makati, together with the Department of Education National Capital Region (DepEd-NCR), led a school-based influenza vaccination activity at Guadalupe Viejo Elementary School, providing flu vaccines to 288 Pre-Kinder to Grade 6 students.

[L-R] Members from SDO-Makati, Dr. Yc A. Pasion, Medical Officer III, Head, School Health and Nutrition Section, Lea A. Torio, Nurse II along with Dr. Connie Gepanayao, Medical Officer IV, Head, School Health and Nutrition Unit, DepEd-NCR, Dr. Bernard T. Sese, Officer-in-Charge, Makati Health Department; Dr. Ethelrida J. Labayog, NIP Medical Coordinator; Dr. Camilo Baluyot, and Dr. Giselle Mikhaela Enriquez-Briones, Pediatric Infectious Disease, lead the ceremonial vaccination of learners at Guadalupe Viejo Elementary School.

Photo courtesy of the Information and Community Relations Department (ICRD) of the City Government of Makati.

With the rainy season increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses, the initiative underscores the importance of timely vaccination to protect children’s health and minimize absences and learning disruptions.

“Makati has always put our children’s health first. This school-age group can easily catch flu, and since it is contagious, they may pass it to other family members who could be senior citizens, high-risk individuals, or those with chronic diseases,” said Dr. Bernard Sese, Officer-in-Charge, Makati Health Department.

This activity is part of the city’s ongoing School-Based Influenza Vaccination Program, initiated under the leadership of Hon. Nancy Binay. The program, which began on August 3, aims to provide free flu vaccines to 31,537 eligible students across all public schools in the city.

This program is part of Makati’s broader commitment to preventive care and immunization, making the city the first local government unit (LGU) in NCR to offer free influenza vaccination to public school students.

Dr. Connie Gepanayao, Medical Officer IV and Head of the Health and Nutrition Unit of DepEd-NCR, emphasized that learners deserve to learn, grow, and thrive in a safe, healthy environment. “When students are protected from illnesses like influenza, they are less likely to miss school and can participate more consistently in their classes and activities.”

Both the Makati Health Department and DepEd-NCR encourage parents and guardians to support the program by giving consent and having their children vaccinated.

“By bringing vaccination to our schools, we empower our community to build long-term resilience and support proactive care for our children. This initiative by the Makati Government is a powerful reminder that health and education go hand in hand,” Dr. Gepanayao added.

Beyond vaccination, the event also provided Vitamin C and skincare kits for children.

Members of the Makati Health Department assist Dr. Bernard T. Sese, Officer-in-Charge of the Makati Health Department, and Dr. Ethelrida J. Labayog, NIP Medical Coordinator, as they administer the flu vaccine to a learner.

Photo courtesy of the Information and Community Relations Department (ICRD) of the City Government of Makati.

The city’s immunization efforts have also been recognized by the Department of Health (DOH) Metro Manila Center for Health Development, which recently named the city among Metro Manila’s Champions of Immunization.

Makati will continue its school-based influenza vaccination efforts until all public schools have been covered, ensuring that every eligible child receives timely protection against influenza.