The kick off for the supplemental immunization activity in Davao Region will be on April 28 at Balimba Hills, Barangay Sto. Niño in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
According to DOH Undersecretary Abdullah Dumama the vaccination program aims to protect children in high-risk areas from outbreaks of diseases.
“Yung mga high-risk areas, mga GIDA (Geographical Isolated Disadvantaged Areas) unahin natin yan para ma-prevent ang possible outbreak,” Usec. Abdullah said.
For polio there are no cases monitored in the region yet, but based on environmental surveillance they found traces of the polio virus in the parts of the region.
He added in Davao City they found polio virus in Davao River under Bolton Bridge.
For cases of measles rubella the DOH monitored MR cases in Asuncion (Davao del Norte), Baganga (Davao Oriental), Carmen (Davao del Norte), Davao City, Digos City (Davao del Sur), Governor Generoso (Davao Oriental), Hagonoy (Davao del Sur), Island Garden City of Samal (Davao del Norte), Laak (Davao de Oro), Lupon (Davao Oriental), Maragusan (Davao de Oro), Mati City (Davao Oriental), Nabunturan (Davao de Oro), Padada (Davao del Sur), Panabo City (Davao del Norte), San Isidro (Davao Oriental), San Isidro (Davao del Norte), Sta. Maria (Davao Occidental), Tagum City (Davao del Norte), and Tarragona (Davao Oriental).
For oral polio vaccination, they monitored low immunization rate of 61% in Davao Occidental.
“Lahat ng municipalities makuha natin ang coverage per municipality kasi doon natin makikita kung anong municipality ang high-risk. So right now yung coverage we need to review our data kung saan po area for example in Davao Occidental buo ba sila yung five municipality or isa and from that municipality titingnan mo ang mga barangays sinong barangays ang low coverage for OPV o MR,” DOH-11 Regional Director Annabelle Yumang said.
The DOH-11 has set a target for MR and OPV vaccination per province in the region.
For Measles-Rubella (MR) targets specifically kids 9-59 months:
Davao de Oro- 71,740
Davao del Norte- 91,650
Davao del Sur 62,674
Davao Occidental 31,724
Davao Oriental 60,427
Davao City 161,799
A total regional target total of 480,014 kids.
For Oral Polio Vaccine targets specifically kids 9-59 months:
Davao de Oro- 83,372
Davao del Norte- 107,397
Davao del Sur- 73,592
Davao Occidental- 36,611
Davao Oriental- 70,353
Davao City- 198,995
A total regional target total of 561,320 kids.
The DOH-XI is urging parents to have their children vaccinated for MR and OPV as it will protect them from the effects of the diseases.
Rubella or commonly known as tigdas hangin is an infectious virus. If a pregnant woman gets infected with rubella, she may lose her child or give birth to a child with congenital malformations. Vaccination is the only way to prevent rubella.
Measles or known as tigdas is an infectious disease which may cause severe complications including blindness, encephalitis, ear infection, pneumonia and event death. Unvaccinated children are at risk of getting measles and its complications.
Polio is infectious and deadly. It attacks the spinal cord and nerves of muscles in the feet/legs that may lead to paralysis. If the infection ascends and affects the muscles of breathing (including the diaphragm) it can cause difficulty in breathing, Polio is dangerous for children younger than five years old. (PIA/RG Alama)
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