Nila Esin (left), a nurse from the City Health Office, is getting ready for a vaccine injection for an infant (the one being carried by the mother). Photo by City Media Bureau
The City Government of Tagbilaran intensifies its vaccination program as the City Health Office (CHO) launched an information drive to drumbeat the importance if proper vaccination, a report from the City Media Bureau says.
The campaign is dubbed as “Chikiting Ligtas sa Dugang nga Bakuna batok Rubella, Polio, ug Tipdas”. City Health Officer, Dr. Jeia Pondoc said that her office is mobilizing the barangay health workers to educate the mothers about the value of vaccination.
City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II fully supports the initiative. Yap said:
“Despite the COVID-19 [Coronavirus disease] pandemic, immunization should also be prioritized. This is to mitigate any possible outbreak this year. We are already burdened with the challenge of the COVID-19 virus, we should take all possible precautionary measures to ensure that none of our constituents, especially the children will be affected. We really encourage all the parents to have their children immunized”, Yap said.
The Department of Health (DOH), in close coordination with the local government units spearheaded the nationwide vaccination program.
According to the DOH, the Philippines has an estimated 2.4 million children under the age of five (5) who are susceptible to measles.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. About 9 out of 10 people exposed to the measles virus and those who are not immune will contract the disease. It can cause high-grade fever, rashes, cough, eye infection and can lead to complications such as pneumonia, ear infection, blindness, severe diarrhea, and swelling of the brain.
Polio, on the other hand, is a potentially debilitating disease that causes fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness and can eventually lead to lifelong paralysis.
If severe enough, both diseases can ultimately lead to death. There is no specific treatment for these illnesses. The only reliable protection is through vaccination.
The nationwide Measles Rubella – Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization (MR-OPV SIA) activity has been rolled out in two phases. Phase 1 was conducted from October 26 to November 25, 2020 in Mindanao regions, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, MIMAROPA Region, and Bicol Region.
Phase 2 is currently being conducted in the Visayas regions, National Capital Region, Central Luzon Region and CALABARZON Region.
Moreover, children 9-59 months old will be given Measles – Rubella vaccine while 0-59 months old will be provided with oral Polio vaccine.
Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III emphasized that the measles, rubella and polio vaccines are safe, effective and free.