MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) will start giving anti-dengue vaccination to nine-year-old public school students from Regions 3, 4-A, and Metro Manila on Monday.

This, even if the World Health Organization (WHO) has yet to complete its review on the product.

(READ: Concerns raised over DOH's dengue vaccine)

Speaking to radio dzMM, DOH spokesperson Dr. Lyndon Lee-Suy stressed that the vaccine is licensed by the Food and Drug Administration, and is safe to use.

Lee-Suy added that they have notified parents of the students about the benefits of the vaccine.

"Mahabang preparasyon ang ginawa, kasama na rito ang pag-orient sa mga magulang. Nakausap na nila iyung mga magulang, may schedule na iyung mga bata kung kailan dadalhin sa kanilang eskwelahan kasama na iyung consent form," the official said.

"Sinisigurado po natin sa inyo na ginagawa natin ito para mabigyan ng proteksyon ang ating mga anak laban sa dengue."

- DZMM TeleRadyo, 3 April 2016