City reports success on Measles, Rubella Polio vaccinations

Local health authorities reported that the local government was successful in the implementation of the Measles Rubella bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization (MRbOPV) campaign that ended last June 15, 2023.

In her report during the Monday regular flag raising ceremony, Dr. Donabel Panes, head of the CHSO’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, said that the city was able to achieve an 87.31 vaccination coverage for Measles Rubella, the number one in the cordillera and 73.23 percent vaccination coverage for bOPV.

She admitted that while the aforesaid vaccination coverages were short of the 95 percent target, all health centers in the different parts of the city will continue to provide the immunization services on the target population.

Panes disclosed that in 2021, immunization coverage worldwide dramatically decreased to a dismal 81 percent or one out of five children do not have access to essential vaccines through supposedly available immunization services.

In the same year, the CHSO official noted that the Philippines was among the top ten countries with the highest number of zero doses for children globally.

In response to the said scenario, the health department in partnership with the different local governments launched the MRbOPV campaign which was held from May 1 to June 15, 2023.

The achievement of the city in the implementation of the aforesaid campaign was much higher compared to its vaccination coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic. – Dexter A. See