La Union gov't, Relief International team-up in MR-OPV immunization activities
LA UNION, Nov. 30 (PIA) – With the aim to reach the targeted 95 percent of the children beneficiaries, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) and the Relief International (RI)-Philippines teamed-up for the measles, rubella and oral polio vaccine supplemental immunization activities (MR-OPV SIA) in the province.
In the Kapihan sa Ilocos program of the Philippine Information Agency on November 18, it was reported that the PGLU has already reached 75 percent of the targeted beneficiaries out of the 77,000 children ages zero to 59 months old through the help of RI.
“We are very grateful that RI has helped us in the logistical needs, specifically the provision of service vehicles in transporting our vaccine administrators or BAKUNAtors in the barangays,” said La Union Provincial Health Officer Dr. Eduardo Posadas.
He said that RI has also augmented the needed protective gears such as face masks, face shields and hand gloves for the health workers to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and in adherence to the health protocols set by the government.
“Our government cannot deliver the basic services without the cooperation and support of the community, and also our partners in service, specifically RI which has been of great help in the implementation of the MR-OPV SIA program to our constituents,” Dr. Posadas added.
Dr. Posadas said that the free-vaccination is needed to prevent measles, rubella and polio outbreak, and the only way to ensure this is to support the mass immunization program dubbed as “Chikiting Ligtas” being implemented by the Department of Health (DOH) which was launched nationally on October 22 in La Union.
The MR-OPV SIA program started on October 25 and lasted until November 26.
According to Dr. Posadas, those who were not vaccinated during the said period may still visit the city or municipal Rural Health Units to avail of the service.
The MR is given to children nine to 59 months old while OPV is for children zero to 59 months old.
RI is a humanitarian non-profit agency that provides emergency relief, economic rehabilitation, development assistance, and program services to vulnerable communities worldwide.
It is also recognized as a partner of United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), which protects and promotes the right of every child.
“For this year, RI has chosen to concentrate on the said program of DOH to address this particular health issue in the community,” said RI provincial focal person Lovely Mae Ayat. (JCR/AMB/AHFF/PIA-1)
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