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DOH-Zambo tells parents to have kids vaccinated vs. MR, polio

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

April 22, 2023, 1:49 pm

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) has strongly advised parents to have their children protected against measles-rubella (MR) and polio, which have no treatment but could be prevented through vaccination.

Dr. Joshua Brillantes, DOH-9 director, said Saturday that they are targeting to vaccinate 768,792 children against MR and polio during their supplemental immunization activities from May 2 to 31.

Of the 768,792 to be vaccinated, 354,774 children aged 9 months to 59 months will be given MR shots, while 414,018 children aged zero to 59 months will be administered the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV).

Brillantes said they are targeting 95 percent of children for the MR vaccine and 95 percent for the OPV.

“There is no treatment for polio, measles, and rubella. Vaccination is a safe and effective way (of) preventing the possibility of an outbreak,” he said.

Local health centers and health facilities will conduct house-to-house immunization, as well as put up fixed vaccination posts in barangay health centers or stations, rural and district health units, private clinics, and the outpatient services department of hospitals.

Temporary vaccination posts will also be set up by partner local government units in bus terminals, malls, and markets among others.

“With the support of our partners, we will not leave any children behind. No child shall suffer or die from a disease that can be prevented by vaccination,” Brillantes said.

Meanwhile, he said the Regional Disease Surveillance Unit of DOH-9 has reported 165 suspected MR cases since January, 71 or 43 percent of which are measles compatible; 90 or 55 percent are discarded cases or non-measles, non-rubella cases; two or 1 percent are confirmed measles cases; and two or 1 percent are confirmed rubella cases.

For the Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) Surveillance for polio, the region reported 14 suspected AFP cases since January, four or 29 percent of which are discarded cases or non-polio, while 10 or 71 percent are still waiting for the results of confirmatory testing from the National Polio Reference Laboratory. (PNA)

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