DOH administers measles, polio vaccines in Tagaytay mall

TAGAYTAY CITY -- Hundreds of children were given measles and oral polio vaccines during the launch of a vaccination center in a mall here, the first in the city, on Sunday.

In a summary report from the Tagaytay City Health Office, some 741 children from the cities of Tagaytay (627), General Trias (1), Dasmariñas (3), Imus (3), Amadeo (33), Alfonso (8), Mendez (17), Silang (3) Pasong Langka (2), Bailen (7) and Indang (14), Manila (5), Pampanga (1), Batangas (12), Taguig (1), Antipolo (2), and Pasay (2) benefitted from the program held at the Corte Area of Ayala Malls, Serin, located at the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Silang Junction.

Department of Health (DOH) 4-A (Calabarzon) Director Eduardo Janairo urged parents, whose children have yet to receive immunization against measles, to visit the nearest vaccination post in their areas.

The city health office, led by Dr. Liza Fe Capupus, said they were aiming to immunize 500 children but went beyond the target.

Tagaytay City had only six reported measles cases and the city health office boasted of a “50 percent-vaccinated” accomplishment of its target to date.

Capupus said the program would help drumbeat the department's awareness drive and call to parents to have their children vaccinated.

The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) reported a total of 3,425 measles cases with 83 deaths from January 1 to February 24 this year.

The province of Rizal posted the highest measles cases at 1,760 with 58 deaths, followed by Cavite with 501 cases and eight deaths; Laguna with 477 cases and nine deaths; Batangas with 363 cases and four deaths; and Quezon with 324 cases and four deaths.

Antipolo City in Rizal still holds the highest measles cases in the region with 720, followed by the City of Biñan in Laguna with 204 cases; the municipalities of Rodriguez, Taytay and San Mateo in Rizal province with 188, 180, and 161 cases, respectively.

The province of Cavite, by virtue of Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Legislative Council) Resolution No. 1165 passed on February 18, has recently declared state of calamity due to the measles outbreak.

The resolution also authorized the release of PHP5.9 million from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management fund for the provision of drugs and medicines, medical supplies, and rice to address the cases.

Cavite’s Bacoor City has the highest number of reported measles cases with 115, followed by Imus City with 74; Dasmariñas City, 62; General Trias City, 56; and Silang, 31.

The activity, dubbed “Knockout Tigdas! Supplemental Immunization Activity”, is an initiative of the local government unit in response to Janairo's order for the setting up of vaccination centers in public areas, such as fast food chains, churches, bus terminals, schools during the comprehensive mass immunization campaign up to March 20 this year. (PNA)

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