Over 360,000 Bicol children vaccinated vs measles, rubella

MANILA, Philippines — Nine days after the launch of the goverment’s supplemental vaccination program against measles and rubella in Luzon, 362,793 children in Bicol have been immunized against the diseases, according to the Department of Health.

The DOH said the figure is 56.07 percent of the agency’s target to vaccinate 647,092 children in the region.

Data from the DOH-Bicol Center for Health Development showed that as of Wednesday, Camarines Sur had the highest number of vaccinated minors with 103,001 followed by Albay with 93,227, Masbate with 67,804 and Sorsogon with 42,628.

Camarines Norte recorded 32,752 children inoculated against the diseases; Catanduanes logged 15,495 and Naga City reported 7,886.

Meanwhile, in Ilocos, 138,455 children had received the vaccine as of Tuesday.

Among Ilocos provinces, Pangasinan recorded the highest number of vaccinated minors with 63,815 followed by Ilocos Norte with 25,212 and Ilocos Sur with 23,706.

La Union and  Dagupan recorded 22,708 and 3,014 vaccinated children, respectively,.

The DOH reminded parents and guardians to bring their children to designated sites for the ongoing vaccination campaign in Luzon and the Visayas.

Phase 3 of the measles-rubella supplemental immunization program started on Monday and will run until Aug. 28.

The program aims to protect an estimated 6.28 million children aged six to 59 months nationwide.

Early this year, similar immunization campaigns were held in Mindanao and the National Capital Region.