Noy leads launch of mass immunization campaign

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino led yesterday the launch of the mass im- munization campaign against measles, rubella and polio.

In his speech at the convention hall of the Department of Health (DOH) at the San Lazaro compound in Manila, the Presi- dent appealed to the public to support the program, noting that up to 13 million people in the country are at risk of contracting the diseases.

He said getting vaccinated would also protect people from complications. He said the DOH aims to vaccinate 95 percent of targeted children.

He said the DOH would try its best to reach remote commu- nities even as he stressed the importance of coordinating with local government units to ensure the success of the program.

“Parents and guardians should make sure that their kids get vaccinated to protect them against preventable illnesses... This is our obligation to our children,” he added.

The campaign, dubbed as “Ligtas sa Tigdas at Polio Mass Immunization Campaign,” involves the vaccination of around 11 million children aged nine months to below five years against measles and rubella.

Some 13 million newborns up to below five years old, on the other hand, will receive oral polio drops to sustain the country’s polio free status achieved in 2000 after the last recorded case in 1993.

The vaccination drive was initially aimed at preventing the rising cases of measles in the country due to parents’ failure to submit their children to second-dose vaccination against measles in 2011. The campaign will run until Sept. 30, according to health officials. Vaccination will take place in health centers, barangay health stations, local churches and other designated vac- cination posts.

A door-to-door checking and vaccination will follow to verify if there were missed children. Children who have been vaccinated will be marked with indelible ink on their fingers.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona reminded parents that they would lose more if their children get sick with measles, polio or rubella.

The health chief said that treating a child with measles could cost from P15,000 to P30,000, excluding the impact of some complications like encephalitis, pneumonia, diarrhea and blindness.

“I urge all mother and caregivers to bring children regard- less of their vaccination status, from newborns to below five years old, to the nearest health center to have them vaccinated against measles, rubella and polio. Magkaisa. Magpabakuna,” Ona said.

The DOH spends P31 for each vaccine for measles and rubella and P8 for the oral polio vaccine.