ILOILO City – The Department of Health (DOH) aims to cover 597,626 infants and children six to 59 months old for the Measles-Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-OPV SIA) in Region 6.
Dr. Mary Jane Roches Juanico, DOH-6 Child Health team leader, said the supplemental immunization activity will be conducted in two phases.
“In Phase 1, there will be 339,183 children to be covered,” she said.
Phase 1 will be implemented beginning Oct. 22 until Nov. 23, 2018 in 25 local government units in the region which are considered priority areas.
“All infants and children aged six to 59 months old shall be given one dose of measles containing vaccine and one dose of oral polio vaccine, regardless of their vaccination status,” said Juanico.
The primary vaccination strategy shall be door-to-door or a modified door-to-door approach.
The second phase will be conducted in the first and second quarters of 2019, covering 258,443 children in 42 selected local government units.
Juanico assured the public that all vaccines are pre-qualified by the World Health Organization and are safe and effective.
“Children shall undergo a quick health screening prior to vaccination,” she said. (PIA-Iloilo/PN)
