3.1 million kids in Mindanao vaccinated vs polio

MANILA, Philippines — Around 3.1 million children in Mindanao have been vaccinated against polio, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

DOH spokesman Eric Domingo said the figure represents vaccination coverage of 94.7 percent.

The DOH is targeting the vaccination of 3,102,974 children.

“It’s 95 percent and we are happy about it. But we need to sustain this to make sure that all children in Mindanao are protected against polio,” Domingo said.

DOH records show that as of Dec. 18, vaccination coverage in the Zamboanga peninsula was at 94.2 percent; Northern Mindanao, 94.9 percent, and Davao, 95.6 percent.

In Soccsksargen, vaccination coverage reached 92.1 percent; Caraga, 94.2 percent, and Bangsamoro Autononous Region in Muslim Mindanao, 96.7 percent.

Domingo said the anti-polio immunization drive in Mindanao is challenging due to peace and order concerns in certain areas.

“The dedication of our health workers is unwavering. They... work day in and they out because they understand the importance of covering 95 percent of the population to wipe out polio again,” he said.

Domingo said parents seemed to have overcome the vaccination scare, with “a great majority” of them allowing their kids to be immunized.

The DOH has recorded eight polio cases, seven of them from Mindanao, since the disease reemerged in the country after 19 years last September.

Domingo said the DOH has coordinated with concerned local government units as well as military and police personnel to ensure the safety of health workers involved in the anti-polio vaccination campaign.