VAX-PREVENTABLE DISEASES. A nurse administers an anti-measles vaccine to a toddler during the synchronized national vaccination in Baguio City in this undated photo. The Department of Health continues to convince parents and guardians of children who had refused or deferred the vaccination of their children for various reasons, to bring the kids to health centers for inoculation. (PNA file photo)
BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Health in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) continues to exert efforts to inoculate 26,000 children who have not received basic vaccination against vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles.
"May hinahanap kami na mga 26,000 dito sa Cordillera na earlier nag-refuse or nag-defer na kailangan nang mabakunahan (We are searching for 26,000 kids in the Cordillera who earlier refused or deferred vaccination who now need to be inoculated)," Joycelyn Rillorta, Nurse V in charge of the DOH-CAR vaccination program, said during the "Kapihan" forum at the regional health office here Thursday.
Rillorta said during the synchronized nationwide vaccination for measles, rubella, oral polio, and vitamin A supplementation in May, many parents and guardians opted to skip it and not bring their children.
Among the reasons given were the child being sick, religion, and fear.
"Babalikan namin ang mga nag-refuse at nag-defer. Mag e-explain pa rin kami para maintindihan nila at ma-appreciate ang benefits na bakunado ang mga bata lalo na at hindi naman bagong bakuna ang mga ito (We will re-visit those who refused and deferred vaccination and we will explain to them so they would understand and appreciate the benefits of having their children vaccinated, especially because these vaccines are not new)," she said.
Data shows only 113,622 out of the 140,033 targets for measles and rubella coverage were vaccinated, and only 115,341 of the 163,239 targets received the oral polio vaccine.
On the other hand, 2,473 children aged 6 months to 11 months and 22,037 children aged 12 months to 59 months received Vitamin A supplements.
Rillorta said they would get data from private practicing pediatricians as to the number of children brought to them for vaccination.
"These vaccines have been there for decades and their efficacy and safety have been proven so there is no reason to worry," she said.
She pointed out that children who were inoculated have been proven to be protected from the adverse effects of diseases that are preventable by vaccines.
"Magpabakuna para protektado (Be vaccinated for protection)," she said. (PNA)
