DOH Undersecretary Eric A. Tayag assists Dagupan City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez as she prepares to administer the oral polio drops to one of the children who attended the launching of the Measles Rubella and bivalent Oral Polio virus Vaccine Supplementary Immunization Activities (MR-bOPV SIA) yesterday, May 9, 2023 at the CSI Stadia in Brgy. Lucao, Dagupan City.
By Glen S. Ramos
THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos region in partnership with the city government of Dagupan held a grand launching campaign for the Measles Rubella and bivalent Oral Polio virus Vaccine Supplementary Immunization Activities (MR-bOPV SIA) on Tuesday at the CSI Stadia in Brgy. Lucao, Dagupan City
“Sisiguraduhin po natin na lahat ng batang 59 months below ay aming hahanapin at bibigyan ng bakuna upang lahat ng batang Dagupeño ay walang maiiwanan at lahat mapoproteksyonan laban sa sakit na tigdas at polio,” Mayor Belen T. Fernandez vowed in her message during the activity which was attended by parents and guardians of 324 children who availed of the free vaccines.
“The MR-OPV SIA actualizes our focus on good government that is to bring government closer to the people, and bring health care services and children protection to every Dagupeño family right at their doorstep!”
Mayor Fernandez also directed the city health department to conduct weekend vaccination activities and promised to join the barangay and house-to-house campaign to encourage more parents to vaccinate their children.
According to May 10, 2023, regional MR-OPV SIA accomplishment report, Dagupan City has already recorded a total of 4,104 (25%) out of the 16,162 children vaccinated with measles-rubella and 4,797 (25%) out of the 18,915 children were given oral polio vaccine.
Guest of Honor and Undersecretary of Health for Field Implementation and Coordination Team (FICT) North & Central Luzon Eric A. Tayag said that the Chikiting Ligtas 2023 aims to immunize children who are missed out during the routine immunization between 2019 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Kailangan natin ang tulong ng bawat isa, kabilang ang ating mga local na pamahalaan na siyang mangunguna sa pagbabakuna ng mga bata at magbabahay-bahay sa mga komunidad upang masiguro na ang bawat ay mabigyan ng vaccines at nagpapasalamat kami sa napakalaking suporta ng Dagupan City sa kampanyang ito,” Tayag emphasized.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco recognized the city government of Dagupan for supporting the DOH’s program and projects. “Nagpapasalamat din po ako sa mga magulang at guardians na dumalo at nagdala ng kanilang anak upang mabigyan ng bakuna. Ito ay pagpapahiwatig ng taos pusong pagmamahal upang sila ay hindi magkasakit at mabigyan ng proteksyon laban sa sakit na ruvella, measles at polio.”
“Kailangan nating isulong ang MR-OPV SIA vaccination upang maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng isa pang epidemya,” Sydiongco concluded.
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