BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Health - Cordillera is urging parents to get their children vaccinated with the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine for 9-59 months old and the Oral Polio Vaccine (bOPV) for the 0-59 months old.

The DOH-CAR will simultaneously launch the MR OPV Supplemental Immunization Activity on Tuesday, May 2, with the aim to prevent the outbreak of measles, rubella, and polio.

DOH-CAR Nurse V Joyce Rillorta said polio and measles outbreak is possible this 2023 with to the increasing cases of these diseases. She noted that in 2019, a polio outbreak was declared due to the increase in number of unvaccinated children.

"Baka magkaroon ng polio or measles outbreak. Tumataas ang kaso ng rubella at tigdas. Kailangan na po nating kumilos," she said.

The DOH said that in 2020, the routine vaccination was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, three out of four children were not able to receive vaccine against measles. In 2022, the health department logged a 160% increase in cases of rubella and measles.

To avert the impending outbreak, Rillorta underlined the need to take action especially in bringing the vaccine closer to the children.

“Makiisa po tayo sa Chikiting Ligtas campaign ngayong Mayo. Tandaan po natin, ang batang bakunado, protektado,” Rillorta said.
  For the whole month of May, the DOH will conduct house-to-house vaccination or set up fixed post or temporary post in strategic areas for the vaccination.

In the region, the DOH-CAR aims to vaccinate 155,991 9-59 months old children with MR vaccine and 182,376 0-59 months old children with bOPV. The DOH-CAR targets to accomplish 95% by the end of the immunization campaign.(JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)