BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga launched the Measles-Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity Campaign at Robinsons Butuan in Butuan City. 

The launching was attended by Dr. Anthony B. Cu, MPM-HSD, MPH-EOH, CESE director IV of the DOH Field Operations System Management, who served as the guest speaker.

In his speech, Dr. Cu emphasized that the measles-rubella and polio vaccines are safe and effective and have been given for over 40 years therefore, there is no need to worry. He reminded the attendees that measles and polio have no cure and that getting vaccinated is the only way to prevent them. Further, he said that the Philippines has been declared polio-free, but the oral polio vaccine needs to be continuously administered to avoid the resurgence of the disease in the country. 

Dr. Cu also commended the parents and the local government units for their efforts to provide vaccination to children. “All children aged 0-59 months old are eligible to receive the oral polio vaccine, while children aged 9-59 months old will be given the measles-rubella vaccine,” he said. 

During the ceremonial vaccination, ten children received the vaccines for measles-rubella and polio, which was led by the director, together with Dr. Hendry D. Plaza, MPH, the officer-in-charge of the City Health Office, Dr. Eduardo Gonzales, the SP on Health; Cherry May Busa, SP committee on Family, Women, and Children; Regional Director Mari-Flor A. Dollaga of DSWD Caraga;  Herodina D. Preston, RN MPH the dmo IV of Butuan City; and Aileen A. Sacol, chief administrative officer. 

In an interview, Dr. Plaza stressed that children aged 0-5 years old should be vaccinated to ensure lifelong protection. Health medical staff will conduct a house-to-house vaccination aside from the campaign in the mall to reach a 100% coverage rate for measles-rubella and polio vaccination. While Ivy Zoleta, NIP coordinator of the Butuan City Health Office, disclosed that Butuan City aims to vaccinate 40,269 children for the polio vaccine given to 0-59 months old and 34,467 children for the measles-rubella vaccine given to 9-59 months old.

The DOH Caraga's Measles-Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity Campaign aims to protect the children in the region from the debilitating effects of measles, rubella, and polio. The DOH Caraga encourages parents to bring their children to the nearest health centers to receive measles-rubella, and polio vaccines to ensure their protection against these diseases. (DOH Caraga/PIA Caraga)