SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) -- The Municipal Health Office (MHO) of San Jose has recorded a 45.4% accomplishment as of May 22, 2023, for the Department of Health’s (DOH) Chikiting Ligtas ME-OPV supplemental immunization campaign.

Per report of Dr. Lordivino Mesina of MHO San Jose, 6,728 children ages 0 to 59 months out of 14,817 have already received supplemental immunization from the municipality.

The MHO aims to administer vaccines to 95% of the target, reaching island barangays and far-flung areas to prevent the spread of rubella, measles, and polio.

Parents are encouraged to have their children ages 0 to 59 months received supplemental ME-OPV vaccine to prevent the spread of said diseases.

Mesina reiterated that the vaccine is safe, in response to the fear of receiving the vaccine prevalent in the peak of the pandemic outbreak.

“Nagkaroon kasi ng takot ang mga tao noong pandemic na baka raw may side effects ang pagpapabakuna pero safe itong bakuna na ito dahil supplementary nalang ito…kasama na rin ito sa mga 5-in-1 [vaccine] na binibigay sa mga bata (People had a fear during the pandemic that receiving vaccines have side effects but this is safe as this is only a supplementary dose…this is included in 5-in-1 vaccine administered to newborns),” he shared.

MHO continues to administer vaccines in every barangay in San Jose until the end of the month. Parents can also bring their children directly to the MHO building for the vaccine. (DSG/PIA Mimaropa-OccMin)