A TOTAL of 22,029 children in Metro Manila and Mindanao were vaccinated by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) at the start of the second round of Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio for children ages zero to five years old from November 25 to December 7.
The number of children represented more than a fifth of its target for this round.
“Children, being the most vulnerable in our society, need utmost care and protection, especially when it comes to their health. PRC aims to have 100,000 children vaccinated against Polio,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon.
PRC’s target for the 12-day period is 100,000 children, an average of 8,000 to 9,000 per day for both Metro Manila and Mindanao. Of the 22,029 vaccinated on the first day, 11,290 were from Metro Manila.
A total of 1,113 volunteers and 73 staff were mobilized for this project: 633 volunteers in Metro Manila and 480 volunteers in Mindanao. These volunteers and staff were vaccinators divided into teams composed of a team leader, vaccinator, recorder and health educator.
The PRC, through its vaccination teams, will ensure that eligible children get their patak, and the mother correctly understands the vaccine that their child gets.
Likewise, parents and guardians were also given orientation on health and hygiene, and the importance of adhering to all government-required child vaccinations.
Under the program, children aged zero to 59 months old should receive oral poliomyelitis (polio) vaccination to help them fight the virus that may lead to lifetime paralysis (from lower extremities and muscles to organs that control our breathing) and even death.
Around 4.4 million children, five years old below, need to be vaccinated: 1.3 million in Metro Manila and 3.1 million in Mindanao.
A total of 25 chapters (nine from NCR and 16 from Mindanao) participated in the second wave of Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio.
PRC vaccination teams were deployed to Quezon City, Pasay, Marikina, Manila, Caloocan, Pasig, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Lanao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, Bukidnon, General Santos City, Iligan City, Zamboanga City, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi to administer the oral vaccine.