DOH launches catch-up immunization drive for kids

The Department of Health on Thursday started its three-month catch-up vaccination drive against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) for children during the celebration of World Immunization Week.

During the ceremonial vaccination in SM City Masinag, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said the COVID-19 pandemic caused a drop in the number of routine vaccinations among infants.

“Ang inyong DOH ay maglulunsad ng isang malawakang catch-up vaccination drive sa buong bansa upang mabakunahan ang halos 1.1 million ng mga bata na hindi nakumpleto ng kanilang routine immunization,” he said.

(The DOH will launch a mass catch-up vaccination drive in the entire country to vaccinate almost 1.1 million children who have yet to complete their  routine immunization.)

He noted that these children include those who are under-vaccinated and unvaccinated.

The “Chikiting Bakunation Days” will be conducted every last Thursday and Friday of the month from April to June this year.

According to the DOH, the shots that will be administered include the pentavalent vaccine against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, and haemophilus influenzae type B; the oral polio vaccine (OPV); and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV).

“Layunin ng selebrasyon na ito ay iparating sa bawat Juan at Juana ang kahalagahan ng bakuna sa pagpapanatili ng isang malusog at mahabang buhay,” Duque said.

(The celebration of the World Immunization Week is to remind our countrymen the importance of vaccines in maintaining a healthy and long life.) —LBG, GMA News