BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Department of Health (DOH) together with the city government led the regional launching of the Measles-Rubella, Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR OPV SIA) at the Malcolm Square here on May 2.
Dubbed as “Chikiting Ligtas”, the campaign aims to vaccinate 95 percent of children aged 9-59 months old against measles-rubella, and 95% of 0-59 months old against polio.
DOH Undersecretary Enrique Tayag said that with the presence of COVID-19 in the past three years, the health department noted an increase in number of unvaccinated children, thus, the simultaneous launching of the MR OPV SIA. Every vaccination team aims to immunize 100 children a day, he added
“Sa nakalipas na tatlong taon ng pandemya, unti-unting bumababa po ang vaccination coverage sa ating bansa kaya kailangan po natin itong supplemental immunization activity nang sa gayon, ‘yung mga batang hindi pa nabakunahan ay mabibigyan po ng pagkakataon para mabigyan sila ng proteksyon,” Tayag said.
“Lahat po tayo, may responsibilidad mula sa pamilya hanggang sa pinakamataas na tao dito sa ating bansa. Pero ang responsibilidad po natin ngayon ay siguraduhin na lahat ng ating mga kabataan ay nabibigyan ng bakuna mula sa bahay hanggang sa health center. Hanggang saan man tayo makarating, dapat po sila ay malalakas,” DOH-Cordillera Regional Director Rio Magpantay said. He thanked everyone working for the realization of a healthier community.
In the Cordillera, the DOH aims to provide 155,991 9-59 months old children with MR vaccine and 182,376 0-59 months old with OPV until May 31, 2023.
From January 1 to April 15, 2023, cases of measles-rubella in the Cordillera increased to 125% or to 18 cases from eight cases during the same period last year.
For Baguio City, the health department targets to immunize with MR vaccine 29,629 9-59 months old and 34,894 0-59 months old children with OPV.
City Mayor Benjamin Magalong assured the local government unit’s commitment to keep the communities healthy and safe as he commended all the dedicated healthcare workers who have worked tirelessly to organize and implement the said vaccination campaign.
“Let us work together in making sure that every child receives the necessary vaccines to keep them healthy and protected. With our collective efforts, we can achieve a healthier and more resilient community,” Magalong appealed.
Representatives of various government agencies and civil society organizations also assured their support and commitment to the program. **JDP/DEG-PIA CAR
