October 30, 2025 | Department of Education Central Office, National Capital Region – DepEd NCR
HPV Vaccination in Philippine Schools continues to face low uptake, highlighting the need for urgent and coordinated action. In response, End Cervical Cancer Philippines Organization Inc. (CerviQ), together with the Inner Wheel Clubs of District 383, held a strategic meeting with the Department of Education – National Capital Region (DepEd NCR) on October 30, 2025, at the DepEd NCR Central Office.
The meeting is part of CerviQ’s ongoing research initiative under the Cervical Cancer Action for Elimination (CCAE) global cohort study, which seeks to identify and understand the barriers that hinder HPV vaccination in Philippine schools uptake across the Philippines.
This initiative is made possible through the active collaboration of the Inner Wheel Club of the Philippines District 383, a committed collaborating and participating agency with CerviQ in this nationwide endeavor to eliminate cervical cancer. We extend our deepest gratitude to Past District Chair Jovita “Bing” De Jesus, National Chairperson on Cervical Cancer Elimination, and District 383 Chair Dr. Argie Villajin and IWC President Jocelyn Marcial for their steadfast partnership and leadership in this shared mission.
The meeting brought together Dr. Connie Gepanayao, Medical Officer IV of the School Health and Nutrition Unit (SHNU), DepEd NCR Central Division, and representatives from the School-Based Immunization Program of each of the 16 school divisions across Metro Manila.
During the discussion, CerviQ presented its project proposal to conduct a survey among school principals and school-based immunization officers from 100 schools across NCR, aimed at gathering data on key barriers, behaviors, and perceptions affecting HPV vaccination implementation.
HPV Vaccination in Philippine Schools: Challenges and Insights
The dialogue revealed several critical barriers behind the low HPV vaccination coverage, including:
Limited procurement of HPV vaccines by the Department of Health (DOH), leading to supply inconsistencies.
Difficulty obtaining parental consent, often prompting schools to “ambush” parents during available opportunities.
Complex coordination with Local Government Units (LGUs), who are responsible for vaccine ownership and deployment.
Overall decline in participation in other school-based immunization programs, with HPV vaccination remaining the lowest among them.
Participants collectively recognized that a widespread lack of understanding and appreciation of the HPV vaccine’s importance among parents remains a key behavioral and informational challenge.
The Way Forward
These early findings on the barriers to HPV vaccination in schools have since contributed to broader efforts to better understand vaccine uptake across the Philippines.
Building on these insights, CerviQ has recently engaged in an international research collaboration to further study behavioral, system, and policy-level challenges affecting HPV vaccination.
👉 Read the latest update here: [LINK TO UCSD BLOG]
Through collective commitment, research, and advocacy, the partners reaffirm their dedication to helping the Philippines achieve the World Health Organization’s 90-70-90 targets — ensuring that more women are protected through vaccination, screening, and timely treatment.
