ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The City Health Office launched a door-to-door catch-up immunization in a bid to eliminate if not lessen the number of measles cases in this city.
The catch-up immunization was launched after an outbreak has been declared as the City Health Office recorded 101 measles cases from January 1 until February 1, this year.
The number of measles cases recorded from January 1 until February 1, this year, were higher by 1,343 percent compared to only seven cases registered in the same period last year.
Corazon Pagotaisidro, City Health Office’ immunization program coordinator, told the Philippine News Agency that they aim to immunize at least 121,000 children with Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR) vaccines during the catch-up immunization.
Pagotaisidro said to be immunized during the catch-up immunization, which is from February 19 to March 23, are children aged six to 59 months old.
The immunization is part of the pro-active measures to address the measles outbreak in this city.
Measles is a highly communicable viral illness transmitted through direct contact with nasal or throat secretion of infected person or by articles freshly soiled with nose and throat secretion.
Pagotaisidro appealed the parents to allow their children to be immunized with MMR citing the vaccine is safe, tried and tested.
She said parents whose homes were not visited by City Health Office personnel can visit the health center to avail of the catch-up immunization program. (PNA)
