CEBU CITY, Cebu, May 18 (PIA) -- The Department of Health Region 7 (DOH-7) has implemented the "Chikiting Ligtas Campaign," a nationwide vaccination campaign that aims to provide supplemental immunization for children below 5 years of age against rubella, measles, and polio.

The campaign aims to give at least 95% of children aged 9 to 59 months old the measles and rubella vaccine and to children 0 to 59 months old the oral polio vaccine.

In Central Visayas, the DOH-7 is targeting to vaccinate 717,405 children for measles and rubella and 312,724 children for polio.

As of May 17, a total of 332,600 children, or 48.27% had already been vaccinated.

At least 37,000 children should be immunized daily for the next 10 days in order to achieve the 95% target before the end of this month, which is also the end of the said campaign.

Children must receive two doses of measles and rubella vaccines that will be given at 9 months old and 12 months old, while the oral polio vaccine will be administered to children in 3 doses at 1.5 months old, 2.5 months old, and 3.5 months old, respectively.

They must receive the full doses in order to be considered fully immunized.

In the implementation of the campaign, the health department in Central Visayas is working closely with their various partners, such as the different local government units, national government agencies, non-government organizations, and business establishments.

"Very cooperative kayo atong mga LGUs (The LGUs are very cooperative). They sent barangay health workers to assist our health workers in implementing the program," said DOH-7 Medical Officer IV of the Family Health Section, Dr. Joan Antonette Albito, during the Kapihan sa PIA on May 17.

"Mag awhag mi sa atong mga ginikanan nga pabakunahan inyung mga anak katung mga nag edad og 0 to 59 months old, take advantage nga naa kita ani nga campaign kay atoang tumong niini mahatagan og dugang proteksyon ang inyung mga anak batok sa measles, rubella og polio (We encourage our parents to vaccinate their children who are aged 0 to 59 months old, take advantage of this campaign because our goal is to provide more protection to your children against measles, rubella and polio) " added Albito during the said forum. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)