Dumaguete: At least 192,708 children aged 6 to 59 months in the Negros Island Region (NIR) have received supplemental measles-rubella vaccines, the Department of Health (DOH) reported. Dr. Deab Eltanal, acting chief of the DOH-NIR Local Health Division, indicated that this figure represents 43.9 percent of the region's target of 437,586 children, as of September 1.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA), which commenced on August 10, has been extended nationwide until September 4 from the original August 28 deadline to allow more children to receive the vaccines. "We aim to reach a 95 percent immunization accomplishment so we can reach herd immunity against the disease," Eltanal stated in an interview. He attributed the low turnout partly to misinformation circulating online about the supplemental immunization program.
Eltanal urged local government units (LGUs), health centers, and other stakeholders to help educate parents and encourage them to have their children vaccinated. "That is why we are asking the local government units, the health centers, and other stakeholders to help convince parents that the vaccines are safe and administering these to their children will give them additional protection from the disease," he emphasized.
The DOH-NIR has prioritized LGUs with low vaccination turnout under the extended "Ligtas Tigdas" campaign. Areas prioritized include Guihulngan, Siaton, Sta. Catalina, Bais City, Bayawan City, Dumaguete City, Tanjay City, and Sibulan in Negros Oriental; Enrique Villanueva in Siquijor; and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental. Several other areas have continued with the immunization drive despite achieving higher accomplishment rates.
Aside from the measles-rubella vaccines, health workers are also administering Vitamin A to qualified children during the campaign. Eltanal assured that the DOH has sufficient stocks of the supplemental measles-rubella vaccines, which are provided free of charge. He encouraged parents, guardians, and other persons caring for children in the target age group to visit their local health centers or other designated vaccination sites for immunization and to seek clarification from health personnel regarding any concerns about the program.
