DIPOLOG CITY, April 25 (PIA) - Two children received their first vaccine against measles, rubella, and polio, during the launch of the "Chikiting Ligtas" Measles, Rubella, Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity '23 (MR OPV SIA), kick-off ceremony spearheaded by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the Department of Health (DOH)-9 held recently here at the Capitol Grounds.

The two children are; Kahlia Belle I. Kuan, 2 years and 8 months old and Joeirey Nathan D. Arcete, 4 years old. The target of the PHO and Department of Health-Center for Health Development DOH-CHD is that 95-100 percent of children aged 9 months to 5 years old will be vaccinated against measles and 0-5 years old children will receive the Bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine (BOPV) in the province of Zamboanga del Norte during the nationwide supplemental immunization drive that will start on May 2-31, this year.

Dr. Dennis Antonio A. Dacayanan of DOH-9 confirmed three cases of measles and 1 case of rubella in his presentation.

He said measles is one of the most contagious diseases that affect children's health. "Therefore, unvaccinated children are considered at high risk of measles which can cause serious complications that can lead to death," he noted.

DOH-9 explained parents should not be afraid, and should join the campaign to vaccinate their children against measles, rubella, and polio.

"Don't deny your children their right to vaccines. Because the main goal of the campaign is 'no child will be left behind' against MR OPV SIA," Dr. Dacayanan said.

PHO-DOH hopes to inoculate at least 95% of children aged 0 to 5 against vaccine-preventable diseases nationwide. (RVC/EDT/MML&JPA-OJT/PIA9 Zamboanga del Norte/ with reports from Provincial Information Center ZaNorte)