DOH immunization program derailed in Mimaropa, Bicol due to Quinta

This file photo shows a child receiving an oral vaccine against polio. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The implementation of the Department of Health’s (DOH) supplemental immunization against measles and polio has been delayed in two regions affected by typhoon Quinta.

According to Dr. Wilda Silva, DOH National Immunization Program manager, the agency’s measles-rubella and oral polio vaccine (MROPV) campaign was stalled in Region IV-B or Mimaropa and Bicol Region, the two most affected regions by the recent onslaught of typhoon Quinta.

“Some of the provinces in their areas postponed or delayed the conduct of the kickoff of MROPV campaign,” Silva told reporters in an online media briefing Wednesday.

She noted that they are now looking at establishing temporary vaccination posts in evacuation centers in Mimaropa and Bicol region to reach target children.

“Nakipag ugnayan na po kami sa aming mga katuwang sa regional offices of DOH as well as the local government units. We already shared this recommendation that if ever there are target vaccinees in the evacuation sites then they can utilize that as a temporary site,” Silva said.

The vaccination campaign started on Monday in Mindanao regions, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa, and the Bicol region. Meanwhile, inoculation in Visayas regions, National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon will start in February 2021.

For the first two days of the program, Silva said they were able to reach an 11.7% coverage rate.

Marawi City and Lanao Del Sur postponed their implementation of the vaccination program due to the rise in COVID-19 cases.

The DOH urged the parents and caregivers to participate in the vaccination program that would defend their children from vaccine-preventable diseases and emphasized that measles, rubella, and polio vaccines are safe, effective, and free.

CFC