By Glen S. Ramos
THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Center for Health and Development launched the “Every day is Bakuna Day” in Ilocos Region to increase immunization coverage and raise awareness on the importance of vaccines which protect people against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs).
The event was held in Mangaldan, Pangasinan last Friday, April 19, 2024, dubbed as “Bakunaa’y Ogogaw Natan Tan Agew-agew!” (Bakuna ng Bata Ngayon at Araw-Araw) which targeted 200 individuals from children to adult.
The local government of Mangaldan will be vaccinating a total of 2,725 children from the municipality. Meanwhile, a total of 104,281 target children in Region 1 are estimated to be fully immunized at the end of 2024.
“The goal of the campaign is to make immunization services available every day in all primary healthcare facilities for parents and caregivers to bring their children anytime of the week for their vaccination. Hindi na nila kailangan pang mag-antay ng Mierkules, which is the scheduled vaccination day, to go to health centers and mas marami ang mabibigyan ng bakuna kung ito ay maibibigay anumang araw mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes,” Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco stated.
“We have to protect every member of the community from any diseases lalo na ngayong may banta ng mga sakit tulad ng pertussis. Only through immunization can we protect the health and safety of everyone from VPDs.” she emphasized.
The World Immunization Week is celebrated from April 24-30, 2024. This year 2024 also marks the 50th year of the Essential Program on Immunization (EPI), which was launched by the World Health Organization and aimed to make routine life-saving vaccines accessible to every child, regardless of where they lived.
The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) was established in 1976 to ensure that infants/children and mothers have access to routinely recommended infant/childhood vaccines. DOH ensures that these vaccines are safe and effective. They help protect children and adolescents from serious, often fatal illnesses such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B, poliovirus, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Human Papilloma Virus among others.
The “Everyday Immunization Day” Intensified Routine Immunization campaign is in line with the National Objectives for Health articulated through the 8-Point Action Agenda No. 2: Ligtas, dekalidad, at mapagkalingang serbisyo which ensures the provision of high-quality, safe, and people-centered services, which include access to affordable medicines, across life stages.
Sydiongco also thanked the local government of Mangaldan, Pangasinan and all local government units of the region for continuously supporting the immunization campaign in their localities. The activity was conducted with the support of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and Relief International.
“Through our concerted efforts, we can ensure a safer and brighter future for our children in a community dahil ‘Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Buhay ay Mahalaga’,” she concluded.
