QC widens coverage of polio immunization drive

MANILA, Philippines — As the Quezon City Health Department intensifies its efforts against polio, Mayor Joy Belmonte appealed to families living in gated subdivisions and condominiums to allow doctors in.

“We strongly seek the cooperation of homeowners associations and building officials in order to ensure that all children under [age] 5 are vaccinated,” she said.

According to Belmonte, the city’s continuous house-to-house vaccination efforts for children aged 5 years and below will be implemented even in private subdivisions and high-rise condos.

In addition, the health department has also installed fixed vaccination areas in barangays, malls and bus stations within the city.

Since Oct. 14, around 160,000 out of 274,785 children in Quezon City have been vaccinated. —Mariejo S. Ramos