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DOH kicks off synchronized polio vaccination in Manila

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor

August 19, 2019, 3:36 pm

<p><strong>ANTI-POLIO DRIVE. </strong>Officials from the Department of Health and the city government of Manila lead the mass vaccination against polio at Barangay 393 in Manila City on Monday (August 19, 2019). The event is in line with the DOH's synchronized polio vaccination campaign to keep Philippines polio-free. <em>(Photo courtesy of United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund Philippines)</em></p>

ANTI-POLIO DRIVE. Officials from the Department of Health and the city government of Manila lead the mass vaccination against polio at Barangay 393 in Manila City on Monday (August 19, 2019). The event is in line with the DOH's synchronized polio vaccination campaign to keep Philippines polio-free. (Photo courtesy of United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund Philippines)

MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday launched the synchronized polio vaccination campaign to address threats of resurgence of the disease.

During the campaign's launch at Barangay 393 in Manila City, DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo said polio is a highly infectious disease that can cause total paralysis affecting children under five years old.

While there is no cure for polio, Domingo said it can be prevented through immunization.

"Simula po 2010 wala nang polio sa Pilipinas, siyam na taon na po iyon at kailangang huwag na pong bumalik ang polio dito sa Pilipinas at mangyayari lang po iyon kung papatakan natin ang mga anak natin basta limang taon pababa (Polio in the Philippines has been eliminated since 2010, it has been nine years and polio must never come back and that would only happen if children under five years old get oral vaccination)," he added.

Apart from immunization, cleanliness of the surroundings can curb polio prevalence nationwide, Domingo said.

"Siguraduhin po natin ang kalinisan, at ang dumi ng tao ay dapat malayo sa ating mga tubig na inumin (Ensure a clean environment and make sure that our drinking water is free from human feces)," he said.

Earlier, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the recent drop in the oral polio virus (OPV) vaccines coverage placed the country in the risk of losing its polio-free status.

Duque reported that the coverage for the third dose of OPV had fallen below the required 95 percent to ensure population protection against the debilitating disease.

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Philippines Deputy Representative Julia Rees encouraged the public to ensure that children are immunized against polio, saying achieving the country's health goals is everybody's responsibility,

"It's our collective responsibility to do this, and UNICEF is committed to support DOH and the government," she said in the same event.

Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso urged the parents to ensure that their children are in good health.

He said one of the primary responsibilities of parents is to ensure that their children are immunized.

"Magtungo na kayo sa mga health centers para magpabakuna ng inyong mga anak. Ito ay libre, ang puhunan lang ninyo ay oras at kakaunting lakad, 'di ba (Go to the nearest health centers to have your children vaccinated. This is free, you just have to set aside some time and walk a bit)," he told parents at the event.

The local government of Manila will conduct its mass immunization campaign against polio from August 19 to 30, targeting about 197,000 children under 5 years old. (PNA)

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