31% of kids in Eastern Visayas get vaccination vs measles, rubella

TACLOBAN CITY — The immunization campaign being held by health authorities in Eastern Visayas against measles and rubella has covered 90,110 children, or about 31 percent of the eligible population.

The Department of Health (DOH) Eastern Visayas said the figure was recorded as of Aug. 14, four days after the campaign began on Aug. 10.

The vaccination drive will continue until Aug. 28, targeting 445,961 children aged six to 59 months, regardless of their previous vaccination status.

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The campaign is being conducted to close gaps in routine immunization and provide additional protection against measles and rubella.

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These two diseases are highly contagious vaccine-preventable ailments that can cause serious complications, disability and death among children.

Eastern Samar posted the highest vaccination coverage in the region at 44 percent, with 14,350 children vaccinated out of its target of 32,412.

It was followed by Tacloban City, with 4,663 of 12,845 eligible children vaccinated, or 36 percent, and Biliran, with 4,014 of 12,510, or 32 percent.

Northern Samar recorded a 31 percent coverage, with 14,360 of its 45,119 target children vaccinated, while Leyte reached 31 percent, with 30,459 of 96,228 children vaccinated.

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Southern Leyte recorded 27 percent, with 5,916 of 21,542 children vaccinated; Ormoc City, 25 percent, with 3,829 of 15,063; and Samar, 23 percent, with 12,519 of 54,403 target children vaccinated.

DOH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Exuperia Sabalberino said the campaign is part of the government’s effort to improve immunization coverage and protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

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“We intend to cover all eligible children based on our actual master list. We have partnered with national government agencies and local government units since this requires a whole-of-government approach,” Sabalberino said.

The DOH is encouraging parents and caregivers to have their children vaccinated during the campaign even if they have previously received measles-rubella vaccines. /apl