Measles, rubella, polio vaccination to push through

The Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) assured the public and partner local government units that the Measles, Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR OPV SIA) will proceed as scheduled this February 2021.

The DOH WV CHD gave this assurance even as it continues to address the COVID-19 infections among its employees in the regional office.

Preparatory activities for the MR OPV SIA Campaign as well as the provision of technical assistance to LGUs and other partners are on-going through online platform. DOH Development Management Officers (DMOs) also conduct onsite technical assistance and monitoring to ensure the LGUs’ readiness.

The DOH has emphasized that the mass immunization activity is necessary to forestall impending outbreaks of measles, rubella, and polio.

The campaign aims to inoculate 770,279 children in Western Visayas aged 0-59 months. Children aged 9-59 months will be given measles and rubella vaccines, while those 0-59 months old will receive oral polio vaccine.

These vaccines will be given for free. The vaccines to be used in the campaign have long been proven safe and effective, the DOH said.

DOH WV CHD said it is in close coordination with LGUs and other development partners to ensure that minimum public health standards will be complied in the conduct of the Campaign.

Dr. Daphynie Toerima, DOH-6’s Chief for Child Health and National Immunization Program, said their preparations are ongoing, even if some of their employees are under quarantine after 20 DOH workers were infected with COVID-19.

“Despite our situation right now, we want to clarify that our preparations are ongoing,” Toerima told Manila Bulletin.

Meanwhile, the DOH-6 Development Management Offices (DMOs) are currently monitoring local government units (LGUs) for their readiness for this year’s immunization programs.