Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Garin explained: In the past, the department opted to conduct house-to-house visits. While this
has been successful, there were instances wherein the target children were not immunized as they
were not in the house at the time of the visit. This also created a situation wherein the parents or
guardians in the succeeding years just wait for someone to come to the house. There were no more
efforts to visit a hospital or health center. Some parents and guardians also thought that the first
shot is already enough and that a follow up shot is no longer needed. This years nationwide
campaign hopes to solve these challenges.
The vaccine preventable measles is caused by a virus that is highly contagious and is spread by
coughing, sneezing, or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions. If untreated, measles
may result to complications, namely, pneumonia, diarrhea, blindness and even encephalitis.
Considered as high risk
Despite achieving polio-free status since 2000, the Philippines is still considered at high risk for
wild polio virus importation and subsequent outbreak. To address this, the DOH said oral polio
vaccine is critical for all newborn babies and children up to five years of age.
The nationwide campaign is a follow-up to the Global Commitment to Child Survival-A Promise
Renewed initiative to accelerate action for maternal, newborn and child survival. It aims to protect
about 13 million Filipino children against measles and rubella, and 11 million against polio.
The United Nations Childrens Fund (Unicef) has provided three million doses of measlesrubella vaccine, and 1.2 million doses of polio vaccine in support of the national immunization
campaign of the DOH.
Lotta Sylwander, Unicef Philippines representative, said during the launching ceremony that the
worlds leading advocate for children will continue to support the country in ensuring that every
Filipino child has access to quality lifesaving immunization. Every child has the right to survive
and thrive, to have the best possible start in life and grow up to reach their full potential, she
said.
Read
more:
http://business.inquirer.net/178190/immunization-drive-targets-95-of-childrennationwide#ixzz4PBbMjcK0
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook