The nationwide measles, rubella, and polio supplemental immunization activity will roll out on Monday, October 26.
The measles-rubella vaccine will be administered to children aged nine months to four years and two months while four-year-old children and younger will be given oral polio vaccines.
“Matagal na nating alam na ang sakit na ito ay maaaring magdulot ng matitinding komplikasyon at maaaring ikamatay. Tanging pagbabakuna lamang ang maaaring magbigay ng proteksyon sa ating mga anak laban sa mga nakakahawang sakit na ito (We have long known that these diseases can cause serious complications and death. Only vaccination can protect our children from these contagious diseases),” DOH USec. Gerardo Bayugo explained.
The first part of the nationwide vaccination will run from October 26 to November 25 in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa, Bicol, and Mindanao.
Regions in Visayas, the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Luzon, and Calabarzon will have theirs on February 2021.
Naniniwala pa rin kami for one month, ma-achieve natin na mabakunahan ang 95 percent ng ating mga bata (We believe that for one month, we can achieve 95 percent vaccination coverage to all our children),” Bayugo stated.
The Department of Health (DOH), together with local government units, will establish fixed posts as venue for vaccination. Minimum health standards will be strictly implemented against COVID-19.
DOH ASec. Maria Francia Laxamana said health workers attending to COVID-19 patients are separated from vaccinators.
The DOH is urging the public to join the free immunization program to prevent the possible measles outbreak in 2021. It assured that vaccines are safe and effective. – Report from Jorton Campana
