Cagayan de oro: The Department of Health in Northern Mindanao (DOH-10) is intensifying its efforts to vaccinate more children in rural communities against measles and rubella. The initiative aims to reach a broader segment of qualified children to ensure their protection against these diseases.
According to Philippines News Agency, Dr. Elma Oclarit, head of the DOH-10 Family Center, announced during a media briefing that over 412,000 children have already been vaccinated. This figure represents 78.8 percent of the department's target of more than 500,000 children for the current year. To achieve this, the DOH-10 has expanded vaccination sites to include temporary venues, such as covered courts in barangays.
Dr. Oclarit emphasized that vaccinations are conducted on-site to maintain the effectiveness of the vaccines. Social mobilizers and barangay health workers are actively visiting households to encourage families to bring their children to these vaccination sites. Additionally, clinics and hospitals provide measles and rubella vaccinations on weekends, extending their services to shopping malls as well.
The DOH launched the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity in Mindanao from January 19 to February 13, with a goal to vaccinate 90 to 95 percent of children aged 6 to 59 months.
