With the Department of Health continuing to provide services and health programs to address the other health concerns of the nation outside the COVID-19 pandemic, the department has also extended the Measles, Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-OPV SIA) until March 7 in order to reach the target population of 95 percent.
The DOH reported that as of 1 March 2020, 83.7 percent or 4,269,423 have been vaccinated against Measles and Rubella, while there were 3,939,677 or 82.4 percent of the national target have been vaccinated against Polio.
In Luzon, Region III had the highest coverage of Measles and Rubella vaccination, with a total number of 881,789 or 91.1 percent of vaccinated infants and children ages 9-59 months old, while 1,026,404 or 90.6 percent ages 0-59 months old were vaccinated for oral polio.
In the National Capital Region, there were 873,532 or 85.7 percent who have received measles and rubella vaccines.
Region IV-A reached 79.2 percent or 1,031,342 of the total coverage in Measles and Rubella, while 79.1 percent or 1,205,345 were vaccinated against polio.
In the Visayas, 87.7 percent or 579,319 infants and children in Region VI had been vaccinated against measles and rubella, followed by Region VII with 78.5 percent or 544,047, and Region VIII with 78.3 percent or 359,394 total coverage.
There were 85.7 percent or 660,354 in Region VI, 78 percent or 363,508 in Region VII, and 76.7 percent 411,066 have been able to receive polio vaccines.
With the extension of the immunization program and with more than 800,000 kids left unvaccinated in the target regions, the DOH continues to encourage all parents and legal guardians to have their 0-59 month old children vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases under the MR-OPVSIA.
“Millions of children are saved every year from these diseases through vaccination. Thus, we call on our local government units to continue strengthening our vaccination programs and ensure maximum coverage under the MR-OPV SIA campaign,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.
“To our parents and guardians, let us retain our confidence in vaccines and put our trust in science. These vaccines are proven safe and effective. Let us protect our children and not deny them the opportunity to grow into healthy individuals free from vaccine-preventable illnesses.”