Article by:
Che Palicte
DAVAO CITY – The Department of Health in Davao Region (DOH-11) recorded 77,415 children in this city who have availed of the measles-rubella vaccine since Feb. 1, the agency reported Tuesday.
The Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA), which began on Jan. 19, aims to protect over 500,000 children aged 6 to 59 months in the region.
In Davao City, the DOH-11 reported a 46-percent vaccination coverage, leaving more than 81,000 children still unprotected against measles-rubella.
Among the provinces, Davao de Oro achieved 61 percent (46,099 children) coverage, while Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur reported 57 percent (63,999) and 55 percent (37,086), respectively.
Davao Occidental remains at 51 percent (18,043) while Davao Oriental leads with 71 percent (39,981) coverage.
DOH-11 urged parents to have their children vaccinated, noting that measles can lead to severe complications and hospitalization if left unchecked.
The vaccination process starts with registration, then an interview with the doctor to evaluate the child’s condition, before moving to the vaccination area.
“Measles and rubella continue to spread in communities because many children remain unvaccinated,” Dr. Ellenietta Gamolo, DOH-11 officer-in-charge regional director, said in a statement.
She said immunization efforts are continuously ramped up to fight vaccine-preventable diseases.
“These measles and rubella vaccines, just like all the other vaccines used in a child's routine immunization, have been proven safe and effective,” she said.
Gamolo underscored that vaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions, protecting individuals and communities from disease and saving millions of lives each year. (PNA)
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