DOH: Only 80% of PH kids vaccinated vs measles, polio
‘CHIKITING LIGTAS’ Small children are vaccinated against measles at the launch of the “Chikiting Ligtas (safe little ones)” immunization drive in San Juan City. INQUIRER/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
The Department of Health (DOH) has reached only about 80 percent of its nationwide target for the routine immunization drive that ended on Thursday.
From May 2 to June 14, a total of 8.12 million kids, or 83.7 percent of the target, were vaccinated against measles and rubella.
More than 2.34 million children, or 81.7 percent of the target, were jabbed against polio during the same period.
About 3.9 million children also received vitamin A supplements under the campaign.
Dubbed “Chikiting Ligtas,” the immunization drive for kids under 5 years old was extended up to June 15 to reach more kids.
According to the DOH, measles and rubella infections soared by 328 percent to 663 cases for the period Jan. 1 to May 23 this year. No polio case has been reported since 2021.
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