ILOILO City – Several strategies to strengthen routine immunization in Western Visayas were presented during the Joint Response and Coordination meetings among health partners and stakeholders on the management of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases (EREIDS) led by the Department of Health Regional Office (DOH 6) on Nov. 9.
DOH-6, referring to the 2016-2022 data, reported that there was a history of decline almost every three years for the Fully Immunized Child (FIC), leading to the buildup of missed children and their susceptibility to various diseases.
As per the National Immunization Program (NIP), one of the key strategies is to conduct catch-up immunization activities in the last quarter of 2022 in the region.
For the catch-up immunization activities, the rural health units (RHUs) will serve as fixed sites, and temporary or mobile sites, including evacuation sites, will be set up as alternative vaccination areas.
In this campaign, 0 to 23-month-old children are eligible to be immunized for all their missed vaccines, and the 24- to 59-month-old age group is qualified to receive their missed pentavalent doses (which include protection against Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Influenza B, and Hepatitis B).
Dr. Daphynie Teorimam, NIP medical coordinator, emphasized that the rollout of vaccination will follow the “First In, First Out” (FIFO) policy.
As a Supplemental Immunization Activity (SIA), the DOH-6 will likewise hold a 2023 Measles-Rubella Oral Polio Vaccine SIA, targeting nine- to 59-month-old children via a house-to-house strategy and providing outreach services in March. (PIA)/PN