CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Department of Health (DOH) will resume this month its Synchronized Polio Immunization Campaign in Central Luzon.
The campaign, which is being implemented in partnership with World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund, aims to boost immunization against polio by giving doses of Monovalent Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (mOPV2) to all children under five years of age, (0-59 months old), regardless of their immunization status.
“To ensure interruption of polio virus transmission, at least two successive rounds of Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio will be done, each with an aim of at least 95 percent coverage to ensure no child is left behind. The mOPV2 vaccine is WHO pre-qualified, safe, and with no concerns for over dosage,” DOH Regional Director Cesar Cassion said.
Round 1 Phase 1 of the Synchronized Polio Immunization Campaign will be held from July 20 to August 2 in the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Aurora and cities of Angeles and San Jose del Monte.
Moreover, Round 1 Phase 2 will be from August 3-16 in the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales. Round 2 covering the whole of Central Luzon will be from September 7-20.
The synchronized polio vaccination campaign is one of the essential health services needed to be delivered promptly, especially in order to protect the population from poliovirus infection.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, this mass immunization campaign shall push through with strict infection control precautions followed by all health workers and the community as wearing of face masks, disinfection, temperature check, and physical distancing will be implemented.
“We are appealing for the participation of all parents/caregivers, health workers, barangay officials and local government units (LGUs) in the implementation of a quality campaign to successfully end the outbreak. Parents/caregivers are also urged to safeguard their child’s immunization card and make available for proper recording of immunization doses. Routine Immunization Schedules are to be continued as well, so as to prevent other vaccine preventable diseases,” Cassion furthered.
DOH also calls on all LGUs to intensify Acute Flaccid Paralysis Surveillance as evidence of contained transmission.
Reiteration of Zero Open Defecation practices, strengthening of environmental sanitation and personal hygiene such as frequent handwashing is also of critical importance.
“Vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease and its transmission. Sustained synchronized efforts of all must be ensured,” Cassion emphasized.