BONTOC, Mountain Province – Health workers in this capital town are exerting efforts in the conduct of Community-Based Immunization (CBI) to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
According to Municipal Immunization Program Coordinator Oliver Gacusana of the Municipal Health Office (MHO), the goal of the program is to totally eradicate measles and other deadly diseases. With this, he urged the parents to bring their children for immunization in the respective vaccination sites as the vaccines are provided for free.
A total of 748 children including 426 kids six to seven years old and 322 kids 12 to 13 years old received their measles-rubella and tetanus-diptheria vaccines.
Of the total 426 children who are six to seven years old, 53 are from Samoki, 13 from Dalican, 15 from Can-eo, 31 from Poblacion, 31 from Tocucan, 96 from Bontoc Ili, 66 from Caluttit, 32 from Guina-ang, 25 from Maligcong, 49 from Mainit, and 15 from Bayyo.
Meanwhile, of the 322 children who are 12 to 13 years old, 72 are from Samoki, 25 from Dalican, four from Can-eo, 27 from Poblacion, 55 from Bontoc Ili, 43 from Caluttit, 29 from Guina-ang, 25 from Maligcong, 32 from Mainit, and 10 from Bayyo.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Complications may include ear infection, diarrhea, pneumonia, brain damage, and death; while rubella, causes fever, sore throat, rash, headache, and red, itchy eyes.
Diphtheria causes a thick membrane-like covering in the back of the throat. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death.
Tetanus (also known as lockjaw) is a serious disease that causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to “locking” of the jaw so the person cannot open their mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about one in 10 cases.
These diseases can be prevented through safe and effective vaccination.
Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey lauded the efforts of the MHO in the continuation of the health programs while still working on the frontline in the battle against Covid-19.
“The efforts of the MHO are truly commendable as the other health programs were not halted when the pandemic hit the country. To ensure that no child will be left behind, our health workers went around the barangays for the conduct of CBI,” the mayor added. – Christy Mae F. Che-es
April 27, 2024
