INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Health (DOH) launched the Chikiting Ligtas 2023, a nationwide free supplemental immunization campaign to vaccinate children against measles, rubella, and polio, at the Bacolod City Government Center on Friday morning, April 28.
Dr. Adriano Suba-an, DOH-Western Visayas director, stressed the need to step up the free vaccination drive in Bacolod City where one German measles case has been confirmed.
“Measles can spread very fast,” he warned.
There were also two suspected rubella cases in Bacolod, the City Health Office (CHO) reported.
The cases were reported in Barangays Bata, Taculing, and Vista Alegre.
Suba-an said in Western Visayas, the fully immunized children below one year old in 2022 was 59.52 percent. The target is 95 percent to hit herd immunity.
Dr. Jose Martin Atienza, DOH regional spokesman, said they will be conducting a house to house vaccination campaign, together with the CHO.
The DOH will be providing Bacolod City with two additional doctors, 12 nurses, two midwives and one pharmacist to assist in its supplemental immunization drive.
Children 0 to 59 months old will be covered by the oral polio vaccine drive, while those 9 to 59 months old will be given measles rubella vaccines, Atienza said.