DOH reaches over 10% of target coverage for measles, polio vaccination
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has so far vaccinated a total of 545,614 children against measles and 499,573 against polio in the second phase of its immunization program, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Wednesday.
Vergeire said the immunization activity represents 10.7 percent of the target coverage for phase 2 of the measles and rubella shots and 10.5 percent for polio vaccinations.
“As of February 2, ‘yung ating coverage for phase 2 for MR-OPV SIA (Measles Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity), ang overall coverage po ng measles and rubella immunization is at 10.7 percent or 545,614 na target population ng 9 to 59 months old children,” she said during the Laging Handa public briefing.
(As of February 2, the coverage for phase 2 of measles and rubella immunization is at 10.7 percent or 545,614 ng target population of 9 to 59 months old children.)
“Dito naman po sa ating OPV immunization, meron po tayong 10.5 percent or 499,573 children, aged 59 months old and below who were able to receive the oral polio vaccine immunization,” she added.
Article continues after this advertisement(For the OPV immunization, we have a 10.5 percent coverage or 499,573 children aged 59 months old and below who were able to receive the oral polio vaccine.)
Article continues after this advertisementThe DOH earlier said that phase 2 of the MR-OPV SIA would be conducted from February 1 to 28 in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon, and the Visayas.
Phase 2 of the immunization drive aims to vaccinate 5.1 million children aged 9 to 59 months old with the measles-rubella vaccine and 4.8 million children aged 59 months old and below for the oral polio vaccine, according to DOH.
Phase 1 of the immunization drive last year in Mindanao, Cordillera, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa and Bicol Region posted coverage of 93 percent for the MR vaccine and 89 percent for OPV.
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