Provincial Government of Bulacan (PNA file image)
CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan –Governor Daniel R. Fernando on Wednesday urged barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials in the province to take active participation in the supplemental immunization campaign against measles, rubella, and polio in a bid to curb such diseases.
The governor cited the vital role of the barangay and SK officials in the campaign that would let the people aware of the immunization which is necessary to protect the children against the diseases.
Fernando likewise encouraged parents, workers, volunteers, and health practitioners to promote the campaign to help prevent the virus transmission and eventually, assist in the long-term goal of eliminating the diseases in the country as well as averting an outbreak.
“Tayo po ay nananawagan sa mga magulang, sa mga lingkod bayan, at sa mga volunteer na tumulong sa kampanya para mapabakunahan ang mga bata dahil ito po ay proteksyon nila laban sa tigdas, polio at sa iba pang sakit. Huwag po tayong matakot sa bakuna dahil ito ay ligtas at garantisado (We are calling the parents, public servants and volunteers to help in the campaign to immunize the children because it is their protection against measles, polio and other diseases. Let us not be afraid of the vaccine because it is safe and guaranteed),” he said in media interview.
The governor, together with Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro led on Wednesday the kick-off of the three-day orientation on measles, rubella oral polio vaccine supplemental immunization activity (MR-OPV SIA) before some 1,138 barangay and SK officials at the Victory Church here.
The two provincial leaders aimed at intensifying the campaign in the conduct of MR-OPV SIA for children 0-5 months old prior to its implementation on May 1-31, which also includes vitamin A supplementation among children under five years old.
He also shared the best practices of the province in terms of supporting and implementing the National Immunization Program (NIP) which includes the active and continuous health teaching in the community on the importance of routine immunization among children.
A report from the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) showed that from January 1 to April 8, 2023, a total of 41 suspected measles cases were reported in the province, which is higher compared to the same period last year with only five suspected cases. (PNA)
