Measles-rubella-polio vaccination extended

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Health has extended until March 7 the measles-rubella-oral polio vaccination program to have more children vaccinated, says DOH-7 spokesperson Dr. Mary Jean Loreche.

The month-long vaccination program dubbed as ChikitingLigtas started on February 1, 2021 and was supposed to end on the 28th. However, the health department decided to extend it one more week.

 “To our dear parents, we, in the department of health, would like to appeal to you to bring your 0-59 months old children to our health centers and have them vaccinated! These vaccines will save them from developing complications from the disease and prevent them from getting sick,” Loreche said.

DOH records show that Cebu Province and the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu are the top performing local government units in Central Visayas in the measles-rubella-oral polio vaccinations.

According to DOH-7, Central Visayas achieved a total of 77.52 percent for oral polio vaccination or 632,292 vaccinated out of the 815,641 target. It has also posted 77.66 percent achievement for the measles and rubella or 540,368 children get the vaccine as against the 693,210 target.

Among the four provinces in the region, Cebu Province emerged as the top performing “bakunator” in all three vaccinations.

For measles and rubella vaccinations, Cebu Province was able to vaccinate 233,656 out of the 280,080 children or 83.42 percent accomplishment against its target while 274,639 out of 330,729 target for oral polio.

 Cebu is followed by Bohol Province (76.82 percent), Siquijor Province (75.90 percent) and Negros Oriental (72.79 percent).

   For highly urbanized cities, Mandaue City has the highest compliance rating at 86.79 percent followed by Lapu-Lapu City at 86.15 percent and Cebu City at 67.29 percent.

 For the oral polio vaccination, Cebu Province still ranked as the top “bakunator” at 83.04 percent or 274,639 of its 330,719 target.  Siquijor ranked second at 77.25 percent, Bohol Province followed at 76.04 percent and Negros Oriental at 73.27 percent.

Lapu-Lapu City emerged as the top “bakunator” for oral polio vaccine among the highly-urbanized cities in the region. It posted the highest compliance rating at 86.05 percent, followed by Mandaue City at 84.18 and Cebu City at 67.27 percent. — FPL (FREEMAN)