Duterte urges parents to have children immunized vs measles, polio

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte urged parents to have their children immunized against measles and polio as the Philippines holds its national vaccination program.

“Let me express my unconditional support to the Department of Health and its partners, to World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund as they hold the nationwide measles, rubella, and polio supplemental immunization activity,” Duterte said in a video message posted Monday over the Department of Health’s (DOH) Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDOHgov/posts/3875702419107648

Duterte underscored the need for communicable diseases to be promptly addressed, especially in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I, therefore, call on parents of children under five years old as well as the local government leaders and other community stakeholders to support the immunization activity,” Duterte said.

“Together, let us safeguard the well-being of our children and ensure a healthier future for our nation. I wish you the best at mabuhay kayong lahat,” he added.

The first phase of the national vaccination program against measles and polio, which started on October 26, will run until November 25.

This is being conducted in Mindanao regions, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, MIMAROPA, and Bicol Region.

The second phase of the program, slated for February 2021, will be conducted in the Visayas region, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.

KGA