The Department of Health-Cordillera is set to roll out the measles-rubella and bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine supplementary immunization activities (MR-bOPV SIA) in May.
Children ages zero to 59 months old will be the focus of the supplemental immunization to increase herd immunity and interrupt the transmission of measles and polioviruses in communities.
In a letter to Mayor Benjamin Magalong dated Feb. 10, DOH Regional Director Rio Magpantay requested the support of the local government and active participation of Baguio constituents for the success of the supplemental immunization activity.
“Vaccination has been one of the most crucial public health strategies that have protected our population against several infectious diseases,” Magpantay said.
But he said “new cohorts of children remain unprotected from measles, rubella and polio due to low immunization coverage brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, prompting the need for a supplemental immunization activity.”
One of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 is to end preventable deaths of newborn babies and children under five years old and significantly reduce neonatal mortality at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under five mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
Measles-rubella and oral polio supplemental immunization activities were conducted in 2014 and 2020, but the DOH said the turnout was low in 2020, affecting the country’s progress towards elimination of vaccine preventable illnesses among infants and children. – Jessa Samidan
April 24, 2024
