QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- The supplemental immunization program (SAP), called ‘Chikiting Ligtas’, has been extended until June 15, 2023.

Parents and guardians can get free measles-rubella vaccine and oral polio vaccines at their nearest health centers, rural health units, and barangay health stations for their children ages 0-59 months.

The Department of Health continues to encourage parents to protect their children from these vaccine-preventable diseases and assures that these vaccines are already proven safe and effective.

“Ang mga bakunang ito ay ligtas, epektibo, at ginagamit na ng iba’t-ibang bansa upang maprotektahan ang kanilang mga kabataan (These vaccines are safe, effective, and are already being used by various countries to protect the young people),” DOH Officer-in-Charge Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire said.

Over nine (9) million children aged nine (9) months to 59 months old are eligible to receive the measles-rubella vaccine. Meanwhile, more than 11 million children aged zero to 59 months old are eligible to receive the oral polio vaccine. The health department aims to attain 95 percent coverage for this program.

Based on UNICEF's latest global report, some 67 million children partially or fully missed routine vaccines globally between 2019 and 2021 because of lockdowns and healthcare disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Philippines is the second highest in East Asia and the Pacific Region, and the fifth highest globally in the number of children who missed out on routine vaccines entirely estimated to be 1,048,000 children.

For more information, visit bit.ly/ChikitingLigtasFAQ (KSAA – PIA CPSD)