CEBU, Philippines — Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Health is set to roll out its measles and polio supplemental immunization campaign starting October 28 this year.
This vaccination can be availed at the barangay health centers.
“We are all so focused on the coronavirus, we have forgotten the other programs,” said DOH-7 chief pathologist, Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, during a virtual presser.
Dubbed the “Chikiting Ligtas”, this aims to encourage mothers to have their children vaccinated.
This is a nationwide campaign for Measles Rubella-Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization supported by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund.
An estimated 2.4 million children under the age of five are susceptible for measles nationwide.
This year alone, DOH has reported pockets of measles outbreaks in the country.
As of August 2020, there were around 3,500 reported measles cases with 36 deaths. Most of the cases are among children under five years old.
Measles or tigdas is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. Among those who are not immune, up to nine out of 10 people exposed to the measles virus will contract the disease.
Close to 10 million children are expected to have the measles-rubella vaccine and 6.9 million children for the oral polio vaccine.
The measles vaccine is safe, effective and free and health workers have been trained and provided with a personal protective equipment to ensure everyone’s safety from Covid-19.
“If you have been vaccinated, makikita natin na ang inyong immune system ay mas stronger rather than weaker when you do not have your vaccination. It will give your body or stimulate your body to be able to produce antibodies on these diseases,” Dr. Loreche noted. — GMR (FREEMAN)