“Prevention is better than cure,” a principle exemplified by immunization in avoiding diseases like human papillomavirus (HPV). The recent “One Community Against HPV: Schools and Families Championing Health through Immunization” forum, held last March 15 at the Henry Sy, Sr. Innovation Center in Miriam College (MC), underscored this vital message.
Organized by MC and the Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines – National Capital Region, in partnership with MSD Philippines, the first-ever private school summit on HPV prevention highlighted the collaborative efforts needed between families, schools, and institutions to effectively combat the disease.
Beyond and within the four corners
MC’s Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Trixie Marie Sison opened the program by stressing the collective commitment to safeguarding the health and rights of girls and women. This was followed by a spiel from Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society Board of Trustees Member Dr. Socorro Bernardino, who advocated for teen reproductive health information and the promotion of HPV vaccination among teens.
Dr. Noel Racho, chair of the Administrative Services Committee of the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines – National Capital Region, then welcomed parents, students, and educators to the summit. Racho highlighted the importance of involving private schools in facilitating vaccination programs and ensuring broader reach within communities. Building on this, Dr. Migo Mantaring, director of the Bureau of Learner Support Services at the Department of Education, asserted that investing in students’ health is essential not only for their academic success but also for national development.
Awareness for early immunization
Moderated by broadcaster Niña Corpuz, the panel discussion “Why, How, and When: Protecting our girls and women against cervical cancer” was composed of Belay Fernando-De La Cruz, athlete and cervical cancer survivor; Dr. Martha Millar-Aquino, president of the Philippine Infectious Disease Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Dr. Maria Cristina Alberto, board member of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination; Dr. Ana Lyn Paterno, treasurer of the Philippine Academy for Physicians in School Health Inc.; and Dr. Jill Estabillo, a Grade 7 parent officer at MC High School.
Fernando shared her experience of being diagnosed with stage 3B cervical cancer after multiple doctor visits. She emphasized that the unwavering support of her family and medical team motivated her to advocate for cervical cancer awareness. Meanwhile, Millar-Aquino explained how vaccines work within the human body, noting that HPV vaccination is most effective when administered ideally starting at age nine or at least before sexual activity begins.
To boost HPV vaccination rates in the Philippines, Alberto stressed the importance of science communication, particularly teachers educating women and children about its benefits. Paterno echoed this sentiment, advocating for collaboration between parents and educators to embrace school-based immunization programs as a means to prevent HPV-related diseases. Estabillo elaborated further that parents play a critical role in their daughter’s health journeys and urged the audience to take vaccines seriously to avoid the significant physical and financial burdens associated with cervical cancer.
Is it factual or not?
Answering claims if concepts related to HPV vaccination is a fact or a myth is the center of the second-panel discussion titled “Who else? Extending the shield to boys and men against HPV-related cancers,” which was also moderated by Corpuz. The panelists were Dr. Anne Marie Tan-Ting, medical coordinator at Xavier School; Dr. Maria Margarita Lota, a pediatrician at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center; Dr. Cyrus Cesar Tejam, member of the Society of Adolescent Medicine Specialists; Dr. Consuelo Garcia, school physician at St. Paul College Quezon City; and Bernardino.
One prevalent misconception is that “HPV vaccination is only for girls,” as stated by Tan-Ting. She clarified that boys and men are equally susceptible to HPV-related cancers and genital warts, making the vaccine essential for both genders. Another myth is that HPV vaccination is unsafe and causes severe side effects. Lora debunked this, explaining that the vaccine underwent rigorous clinical trials and has been proven safe, with only mild symptoms like soreness or redness at the injection site, which is common with other vaccines.
Tejam stressed the necessity of administering the HPV vaccine regardless of sexual activity. Following the “principle of preparedness,” he recommended two doses for children aged nine to 14 years old and three doses for individuals aged 15 and above. Meanwhile, Garcia dispelled the notion that HPV vaccination is “too new to trust,” noting that it has been available in the Philippines since 2006.
Bernardino refuted claims that parents can skip HPV vaccination because it is either not mandatory or too expensive. She highlighted its inclusion in children’s immunization programs and shared the devastating physical and financial impact of cervical cancer, which the vaccine helps prevent.
A collaborative effort
After the panel discussions, Dr. Kristine Lesaca-Saludez, grade school principal of MC, highlighted the institution’s school-based immunization program. The initiative aims to broaden the dissemination of health information within the school community while fostering a strong partnership with parents and guardians to prioritize their children’s health.
In an interview with The LaSallian, Bernardino also addressed the pervasive misinformation surrounding HPV vaccination. She underscored the importance of providing accurate information, clarifying that HPV vaccination does not promote promiscuity but instead serves as a preventive measure against HPV-related cancers for both men and women. Tejam further supported this by advocating for a science-based approach to communication about HPV vaccination, emphasizing its role in safeguarding the health of future generations.
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s March 2025 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSMarch2025.
