DOH extends measles, polio immunization campaign to Oct. 10

Saying it did not quite reach its 95-percent target, the Department of Health is extending its immunization campaign anew, this time to October 10.

The DOH had sought to immunize 95 percent of eligible children or 11 million children aged five and below, radio dzBB reported.

Initially, National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Enrique Tayag said the drive would be extended only until Friday, Oct. 3.

On Thursday, the DOH appealed to parents to take advantage of the new extension and have their children get supplemental measles, rubella and oral polio vaccines until then.

“We are appealing to parents and caregivers who know that children aged zero to five years old under their care have not received the vaccines to go to the nearest health center to have them immunized,” DOH Secretary Enrique Ona said in a statement posted on the Official Gazette.

Short of 95% goal

As of September 30, the DOH said the national coverage status reached 9.6 million or 84 percent of the 11 million eligibles for MR and 81 percent or 10.9 million of the 13 million eligibles for OPV.

Top achievers by region for both MR and OPV vaccinations are Caraga with 91 percent, Zamboanga Peninsula with 90 percent, Davao and SOCCKSARGEN both with 87 percent, and Bicol with 86 percent.

The DOH noted 51 percent of those who have not brought their children to vaccination posts claim that the mothers are busy.

“We are appealing to these mothers to give priority to vaccination. Nakamamatay kapag kulang ang bakuna. Magtulungan tayo upang protektahan ang buong sambayanang Pilipino. There are still pockets of areas where there are children who have not yet been vaccinated, therefore, we are urging the mothers and caregivers of these to have them vaccinated at the nearest health center even as we conduct mop-up vaccinations,” Ona said. — Joel Locsin/BM, GMA News