VACCINATION CAMPAIGN. A child in Ilocos Region receives a measles-rubella vaccine in this undated photo as part of the immunization campaign of the Department of Health to prevent future outbreaks. In Ilocos Region, a total of 378,396 children aged 0-59 months old were inoculated against measles-rubella and 162,687 were given oral polio vaccine. (File photo courtesy of DOH-1)
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Department of Health regional office in Ilocos (DOH-1) recorded a total of 378,396 children immunized against measles-rubella in the region as of June 16 or 91 percent of the target population.
“We commend the determination and perseverance of our implementing units, vaccination teams, and partners to reach all infants and children to close the immunization gap, prevent measles outbreak and re-circulation of poliovirus in the country,” said DOH-1 director Paula Paz Sydiongco in a statement on Monday.
Based on the DOH-1’s record, Pangasinan was able to vaccinate some 232,580 children, Dagupan City with 14,851, Ilocos Norte with 39,291, Ilocos Sur with 47,554, and La Union with 44,120.
Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Dagupan City have reached 97 percent, 103 percent, and 104 percent of the target population, respectively while Pangasinan and La Union have reached 91 percent and 75 percent, respectively.
Meanwhile, some 162,687 children in the Ilocos Region have received oral polio vaccine as of June 16, or 85 percent of the target population.
Of the total number,12,881 children were in Ilocos Norte, 9,228 in Ilocos Sur, 20,738 in La Union, 102,881 in Pangasinan, and 16,959 in Dagupan City.
Ilocos Norte has reached 98 percent of its target, 100 percent for Ilocos Sur, and 101 percent for Dagupan City, while Pangasinan has reached 83 percent of its target population and La Union with 76 percent.
In a forum, DOH-1 medical officer Dr. Rheuel Bobis said the routine immunization against measles-rubella and polio will continue amid the end of the campaign called Chikiting Ligtas 2023.
“After Chikiting Ligtas magpapatuloy ang routine immunization sa mga kabataan and hopefully, ang mga magulang ay patuloy na mabantayan and i-ensure na ang mga anak nila ay makakuha ng bakuna laban sa vaccine preventable diseases (The routine immunization for the children will continue after the Chikiting Ligtas and hopefully, the parents will continue to monitor and ensure that their children will get the vaccine for vaccine preventable diseases),” Bobis said.
The month-long Measles Rubella and bivalent Oral Poliovirus Vaccine Supplementary Immunization Activities (MR-bOPV SIA) or “Chikiting Ligtas 2023” spearheaded by the Department of Health was scheduled from May 1 to 31 but it was extended until June 15.
It aims to catch up with the routine immunization for the 0-59 months old children that was hampered due to the pandemic. (PNA)
