The Quezon City government has vaccinated a total of 221,490 children or 95.35 percent of its target under the Department of Health’s #ChikitingLigtas -vaccination activity against Measles, and Rubella in February.
Kids from nine months to five years old were able to receive vaccines from the simultaneous immunization drives conducted by the Quezon City Health Department (CHD).
According to Mayor Joy Belmonte, the city plans to vaccinate the remaining kids whose vaccination was delayed after some of their parents refused to have them immunized.
“There are more than 10,000 kids that we have to vaccinate. We are currently mapping and tracking them in our communities para mapuntahan at mahikayat ang mga magulang na pabakunahan ang kanilang mga anak,” Mayor Belmonte said.
Among other cities in the National Capital Region, QC also reported the most number of children vaccinated with measles and rubella shots.
“Our city health workers are doing their best para mabakunahan lahat ng bata despite the challenges in bringing it down to the communities because of the pandemic,” Belmonte added.
Barangay staff were tapped by the city to identify the possible vaccine beneficiaries and notify their parents regarding the schedule and vaccination sites in the communities.
The city health workers also put up vaccination posts in remote areas to make the inoculation accessible to the community.
According to City Health Department head Dr. Esperanza Anita Escaño-Arias, the city will continue giving free measles and rubella vaccines to children.
“Kahit natapos na po ‘yung month-long campaign ng DOH for measles and rubella vaccination, the city will continue to give it to our kids for free. Magpunta lang po sa pinakamalapit na health center sa inyong lugar. Kailangan pong mas pursigido tayo na mabakunahan ang lahat para hindi na magkaroon pa ng outbreak ng ibang sakit,” Dr. Arias explained.
Arias also assured parents that city health workers are wearing necessary personal protective equipment to prevent the risk of getting COVID-19. Minimum health protocols are also observed in the vaccination sites.
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