By Jen S. Allegado
CALBAYOG CITY, Aug 29 (PNA) — The health department of this city is now ready for the month-long measles rubella – oral polio vaccine mass immunization that will kick off with a ceremonial launching on Monday.
Health Education and Promotion Officer Editha Diaz said that health providers are now ready for dispatch to the five districts of the city including the happy valley and seven hills area.
“Our vaccination teams are now ready for the one month measles rubella – oral polio vaccine mass immunization. We are hoping that we will reach 100 percent of our target children that is why part of our plan is to conduct a house to house vaccination,” Diaz said.
City Health Office targets at least 11.5 percent of the total population of children aged 9-59 months for the measles rubella vaccine and 13.5 percent of the children aged 0-59 months for the oral polio vaccine.
Diaz further encouraged parents, caregivers or any members of the family to cooperate for the said program as this will protect the children against measles and polio.
She likewise asked the support of barangay officials and other sectors of the community for success of the said health program of the government.
The City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit has reported 59 suspected measles cases in Calbayog City from January to August 25 this year.
Affected barangays are Navarro with 16 cases, Himalandrog 12 cases, Malayog four cases, Payahan and San Policarpo three cases each, while two cases each for barangay Cagnipa, Dagum, Rawis and San Joaquin.
A single case was recorded each in villages of Aguit-itan, East Awang, Bagacay, Balud, Begaho, Cagsalaosao, Cahumpan, Carayman, Macatingog, Maybog, Obrero and Panonongon.
The City Health Office further said that among the said suspected cases four were reported dead to include a six-month old baby from Brgy. Malayog, eight-month old baby from Brgy. Macatingog, a year old and two- year old children from Brgy. Himalandrog.
Assistant City Health Officer Dr. Ginalee Romano said that the scheduled immunization is aside from the regular vaccine given to children. The vaccines that will be administered to children during the one month activity are additional dosage for their protection against the disease.
Romano added that measles is a contagious disease and a threat to the lives of children due to complications with diarrhea or pneumonia. (PNA)