QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Quezon City government is actively promoting the supplemental immunization campaign of the Department of Health “Chikiting Ligtas” that targets to achieve population protection for children against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs).

In line with this, Mayor Joy Belmonte has called on the parents to make the important decision of ensuring their children get immunization against  various VPDs such as measles, rubella, and polio. 

“Bakuna ang pinakamabisa at pinakamatipid na paraan para maprotektahan ang ating mga anak. Kaya bawat eskinita at kalye sa ating lungsod ay sinusuyod ng ating mga health worker para masiguro na bawat bata ay bakunado at protektado mula sa mga vaccine-preventable diseases (Vaccine is the most effective and affordable way to protect our children. That is why our health workers pass through each alley and streets of our city to ensure that each child is vaccinated and protected against vaccine-preventable diseases)” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

On May 2, the Quezon City Health Department launched the city-wide implementation of the Chikiting Ligtas immunization program among children aged 0 to 59 months in Barangay Bahay Toro. 

The city health workers also conducted house-to-house vaccination activities to strategically reach even the most remote areas of communities. This is aside from the temporary inoculation posts that were set up in markets and covered courts of the said barangay to further ramp up the immunization campaign. 

In particular, the local government is targeting to inoculate a total of 230,347 children aged five years and below with the measles vaccine. Meanwhile, it aims to vaccinate 270,977 kids from the same pediatric age group with the oral polio vaccine this May. 

To get the free immunization shots, parents are also encouraged to bring their children to the nearest health centers in their respective barangays. 

“Kahit matatapos na itong Chikiting Ligtas vaccination activity ngayong Mayo, hindi titigil ang lokal na pamahalaan para bakunahan at protektahan ang ating mga anak mula sa mga sakit na pwede namang maiwasan sa tulong ng mga bakuna (Even if the Chikiting Ligtas vaccination activity comes to an end this May, the local government will not put our vaccination efforts to a halt to continue protecting our children against diseases that can be prevented by vaccines),” Mayor Joy added. (PIA-NCR)