The caravan is in support to the upcoming Measles Rubella Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-OPV SIA) from May 1 to 31. Hence, the city is intensifying the information campaign to encourage more parents and guardians to participate in the immunization program of the Department of Health.

Upon directives of Mayor John Dalipe to ensure engagement and widest dissemination of information regarding the campaign to all residents, the Demand Generation team spearheaded a face-to-face learning session to highlight the importance of vaccination as protection against measles, rubella, and polio with parents, guardians, and caregivers of children below 2 years old.

“Let us come together and support the immunization inititative of the government to protect the health of our children,” Mayor Dalipe said.

Dr. Augusto Manolo Alpichi of DOH 9 shares that when the pandemic struck, parents became increasingly anxious about vaccination fearing that their children might get infected with COVID-19 at health centers. “There is a need to address an impending outbreak of these vaccine preventable diseases because there are many unimmunized children in our communities. The outbreak can happen while we are still fighting the COVID-19,” he added. (RVC/EDT/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)