To boost immunization coverage against polio, the Department of Health (DOH) conducted a Synchronized Polio Vaccination in Lanao del Sur and other areas in Mindanao and the National Capital Region (NCR), as part of the agency’s “Sabayang Patak kontra Polio.”
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III led the mass immunization against polio in Mindanao by giving three doses of the oral polio vaccine to all children five years old and below, regardless of their immunization status.
“We urge all parents and caregivers, health workers and local government units to protect their children and communities against the poliovirus by participating in the synchronized vaccination in high-risk areas in Mindanao and in NCR,” Duque said.
He also encouraged parents and caregivers to completely vaccinate the children in their care, and stick to their routine immunization schedule.
Polio is a highly contagious disease transmitted through the fecal-oral route. It is caused by the poliovirus and may result in life-long paralysis, and even death. It is vaccine-preventable, however.
The Synchronized Polio Vaccination campaign aims to boost immunization coverage and full vaccination against the poliovirus as the best way to prevent the transmission of the disease.
Monday marked the kickoff for the first round of vaccination in Lanao del Sur, Marawi City, Davao del Sur and Davao City.
The campaign will be expanded to the whole of Mindanao on November 25, 2019, and will be concluded with the last round of vaccination on January 6, 2020. The NCR also began its second round of vaccination on Monday, with its last round scheduled on November 25, 2019.
The national response that has been mounted by the DOH, in close coordination with local government units and national agencies, and with support from the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund, began in Manila in August.
“I remind parents and caregivers that aside from immunization, you need to practice good personal hygiene: to wash hands regularly, use toilets, drink safe water and cook food thoroughly,” the Health chief concluded.
Image credits: AP Photo/Aaron Favila