CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Department of Health-Central Luzon has accomplished vaccinating some 690,000 children in the region since the start last Feb. 1 of its Measles, Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity.
“This high turnout represents 60.56 percent of the target coverage of measles-rubella vaccination and 61.10 percent for bivalent oral polio vaccination,” reported DOH-3 regional director Cesar Cassion.
In particular, 586,216 children were vaccinated against measles-rubella while 692,265 got drops against polio.
“We will continue our efforts to vaccinate at least 95percent of eligible children in Central Luzon until Feb.28, 2021. A total of 967,997 infants and children aged 9-59 months are targeted to be vaccinated with measles-rubella vaccine and 1,133,017 children aged 0-59 months with bivalent oral polio vaccine regardless of immunization status,” Cassion added.
Strict observance of minimum health standards is being implemented by all health workers, he stressed, citing the wearing of face masks, use of alcohol-based hand-rubs between children, temperature checks, physical distancing, and daily screening of health workers.
Cassion called on all parents and caregivers of children under five years old, including those with private physicians or pediatricians, to take part in this campaign: “Continue supporting our campaign against rubella, tigdas and polio. Let us bring our children to health centers and vaccination posts on the given dates, whether they have been vaccinated or not. These vaccines have long been proven to be safe and effective.”
“DOH is working hand-in-hand with all its health partners to ensure a healthy future for all Filipino children. Participation and cooperation of everyone is needed in order to attain a high coverage for this supplemental immunization activity,” Cassion said. ––Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu/PIA–3
