DOH to set up polio vaccination kiosks in select fast-food chain branches

As part of their effort to improve polio vaccinations in Metro Manila and Mindanao, the Department of Health (DOH) tied up with fast-food company McDonald's to establish Patak Polio Corners in select branches from November 25 to December 7.

Some Mindanao branches were also scheduled to set up immunization kiosks from January 6 to 18, 2020 as part of the DOH's synchronized polio vaccination campaign.

"We are pleased to work with McDonald’s Philippines as we will have more vaccination sites for mothers and caregivers to go to. We are relentless in making this health service accessible and available to all, consistent with our goal of Universal Health Care," Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

The fast-food company said that they valued taking part in the government's preventive efforts against polio.

"With children most prone to the exposure to the disease, and with children’s welfare a priority of the company, we are further driven to support this program of the government," said McDonald's Philippines President and CEO Kenneth Yang.

According to the DOH, the first round of the synchronized polio vaccination effort covered 96 percent of children under five years old in Metro Manila, 92 percent in Davao del Sur, and  85 percent in Lanao del Sur.

The country recorded seven cases of polio since September after 19 years of being declared free from the infectious disease. — Dona Magsino/DVM, GMA News