ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, 05 June (PIA) - The month-long Measles-Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-OPV SIA) in the province has recently concluded, but unfortunately, the target set by the Department of Health (DOH) was not achieved.

The campaign, which ran from May 2 to May 31, aimed to vaccinate at least 95% of the population. However, according to Dahlia Aseniero, Health Education and Promotion Officer (HEPO) IV at the Provincial Health Office (IPHO) of Zamboanga del Sur, the province fell short with only 80% coverage as of May 31.

“Ang amoa lang gyud diri sa Provincial Health Office, padayon lang ang pagkampanya nato mahitungod sa pagpabakuna sa atong mga kabataan (The only thing we do here at the Provincial Health Office is to continue our campaign about vaccinating our children),” Aseniero said.

Religious beliefs have also contributed to the problem of refusals in some municipalities. According to Jayson Nahial, National Immunization Program (NIP) coordinator at IPHO ZDS, certain municipalities, such as Vincenzo Sagun and Aurora, have religious teachings that discourage vaccinations and other government-provided health services. Overcoming these challenges has proven difficult, especially when community leaders who adhere to these beliefs discourage vaccination efforts.

In response to the lower coverage rates, an extension of 15 days has been granted. The MR-OPV SIA vaccination campaign will now continue until June 15. This extension aims to target the municipalities and provinces with coverage rates below 89% including Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and the cities of Pagadian and Zamboanga. (NBE/EDT/HTB/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur/with reports from Medialink Pagadian)