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TO ADDRESS the drop in immunization coverage in central Visayas, the Department of Health (DOH) 7 launched the “Chikiting Ligtas” Measles, Rubella, and Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity at the Consolation Covered Court on January 29, 2021.
Phase two of the supplemental immunization activity will be from February 1 to 28.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, board member Glenn Soco, Consolación Mayor Joannes Alegado, and DOH officials signed a pledge of support during the launch.
In a press conference, Dr. Jonathan Neil Erasmo, DOH 7 Local Health Support Division Chief, said the entire Visayas region saw a drop in achievement in terms of vaccination based on 2018 data.
He said the vaccination target is 95 percent, but due to the pandemic, DOH was challenged to launch phase two.
Dr. Christina Giango, head of the Provincial Office of Integrated Health, said that due to the closure, immunization in some municipalities was stopped and mothers were also afraid to take their children to the health center.
With this, Giango said that supplemental immunization activity is necessary to complete immunization of children, who did not receive their vaccine due to granular blockages.
Garcia said that in addition to the pandemic, the Dengvaxia controversy has also pushed back the national vaccination program.
Because of this, parental faith and confidence in vaccination has dropped from 82 percent in 2015 to 21 percent, Garcia said.
On the other hand, Giango said that DOH 7 has provided the logistics and equipment, which have been distributed to local government units in Cebu province as early as December 2020.
During the launch, the mothers of Consolación, Cebu brought their children and participated in the simultaneous vaccination ceremony.
Princess Calabo, 31, resident of Purok Batong, Brgy. Danglan, Consolacion Cebu, said she is aware that most mothers fear that they will vaccinate their children amid the pandemic.
But in her case, she said she still wants her son to be vaccinated because she believes it is to protect him against other diseases like polio, measles and others.
Calabo and his son also participated in the opening ceremony of the “Chikiting Ligtas”.
From February 1 to 28, DOH 7 will hold the fixed vaccination post that will be held in all barangay health centers and rural health units, which will be accessible to parents, said Erasmo.
Those who have not yet completed their vaccination or those who have not been vaccinated will be assisted by health workers at the nearest health facilities. / KFD
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