DOH: Phase 2 of measles, rubella, polio vaccination at 73% coverage

The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Tuesday that 73% of the target population have been vaccinated against measles rubella and polio in the second phase of the government’s inoculation program. 

The second phase is scheduled to run until Sunday, February 28.

DOH Director IV Beverly Ho said 73% or over 3.7 million children have gotten measles rubella vaccines, while 72.9% or more than 3.4 million kids were vaccinated against polio in the campaign launched February 1. 

Ho said over 1.3 million children still need to be inoculated before the month ends to meet the target of 5.1 million vaccinated kids.

For polio, more than 1.2 million children must be vaccinated to meet the target of 4.7 million individuals.

The first phase of the vaccination program achieved 89-percent coverage. 

Hurdles

Ho said some local government units were not able to begin vaccinations at the start of the month due to coronavirus-related lockdowns or increases in cases.

She added that some mothers are still afraid to go to health centers for fear of contracting COVID-19.

“We want to reassure everyone that as long as we’re able to practice our minimum public health standards, there are protocols in place in health centers so that the mother and the baby are protected,” Ho said.

“This is also an equally important public health campaign that we cannot afford [to forget] because we will also compromise the children,” she added.

In a statement, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also urged parents and guardians to participate in the immunization program.

“We can decrease the prevalence of cases of measles, rubella, and polio through vaccination. These vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective for over 40 years, and parents need not have second thoughts,” he said.

“Above all, we can prevent unnecessary deaths that are caused by these illnesses. This is why we have tirelessly been urging our mothers to have their children vaccinated,” he added. — with Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News