BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – With the theme “Chikiting Ligtas.Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bata ay Ligtas mula Tigdas” the Department of Health is now targeting 150,816 children in the entire Cordillera region to be vaccinated under the Measles Rubella Supplementary Immunization Activity (MR SIA) by the month of August.
According to Jeffrey Tamondong, Health Education and Promotion Officer of the Department of Health (DOH), MR SIA will cover all children aged 6 to 59 months, regardless of their previous vaccination status, as long as there is a minimum interval of four weeks since their last vaccination.
Tamondong said there is no cure for measles and rubella, but vaccination helps prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death.
He noted that an unvaccinated child infected with measles can transmit the disease to up to six other individuals. He also assured that MR vaccines have been proven safe and effective, and that health workers are ready to immediately monitor and manage possible adverse effects after vaccination.
In Baguio City, a total of 25,335 children aged 6 to 59 months are scheduled to be vaccinated with MR SIA in barangays throughout the health district starting August 3, according to Sonia Wakat-Insas, nurse coordinator of the City Health Services Office.
Wakat-Insas said that fixed vaccination sites, including health centers, health stations, private clinics, hospital outpatient departments (OPDs), and other health facilities, will be open daily throughout the campaign.
Preparatory activities include the placement of spot maps identifying all fixed vaccination sites to provide advance information to health workers, parents, and other clients.
The campaign will be conducted in collaboration with the health districts of Asin, Atab, Atok Trail, Aurora Hill, Campo Filipino, City Camp, Engineers Hill, Irisan, Loakan, Lucban, Mines View, Pacdal, Pinsao, Quezon Hill, Quirino Hill, and Scout Barrio.
Children aged 6 to 11 months will receive a blue vitamin A capsule containing 100,000 international units (IU), while those aged 12 to 59 months will receive a red capsule containing 200,000 IU.
Additionally, infants vaccinated between the ages of 6 and 11 months will follow the regular MMR vaccination schedule at least four weeks later.
