Vaccine effort reaches Olango, but with a long way to go

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City’s measles-rubella vaccination campaign has reached the island barangays of Olango as the city works to raise coverage, with only 19% of its target children vaccinated.

Data from the Lapu-Lapu City Health Office showed that 9,303 of the city’s 48,856 target children aged six months to 59 months had received the measles-rubella vaccine as of August 20.

The vaccination drive is part of the Ligtas Tigdas Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity, a free vaccination campaign conducted by the City Health Office in partnership with the Department of Health-Central Visayas Center for Health Development.

City Health Officer Dr. Nelner Omus led the vaccination activities in Olango Island as health workers brought the services closer to families in the island communities.

Mayor Ma. Cynthia King Chan said the city has intensified its vaccination efforts in both mainland and island barangays to reach more eligible children.

“Atong gipangusgan ang atong measles ug rubella vaccination efforts sa tibuok siyudad lakip na ang atong mga island barangays sa Olango, aron masiguro nga ang atong mga anak makadawat sa protection nga ilang gikinahanglan,” she said.

She urged parents and guardians to have their eligible children vaccinated, stressing the importance of timely immunization against measles and rubella.

“Importante ang timely vaccination ug ang cooperation sa mga ginikanan ug komunidad aron mapanalipdan ang atong mga anak batok sa measles ug rubella,” she said.

Chan also said measles and rubella are highly contagious but can be prevented through vaccination, adding that higher vaccination coverage could help close immunity gaps and prevent outbreaks.

The campaign was initially stated in the city’s information material as running from August 10 to September 4, while Chan’s statement said the vaccination drive would continue until September 10.

The campaign covers children aged six months to 59 months and provides the measles-rubella vaccine free of charge.

Chan’s granddaughter, the daughter of Basak Barangay Captain Jasmine “Daday” Chan, was among those vaccinated during the campaign. — Kristin De Dios/BRP

Vaccine effort reaches Olango, but with a long way to go

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City’s measles-rubella vaccination campaign has reached the island barangays of Olango as the city works to raise coverage, with only 19% of its target children vaccinated.

Data from the Lapu-Lapu City Health Office showed that 9,303 of the city’s 48,856 target children aged six months to 59 months had received the measles-rubella vaccine as of August 20.

The vaccination drive is part of the Ligtas Tigdas Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity, a free vaccination campaign conducted by the City Health Office in partnership with the Department of Health-Central Visayas Center for Health Development.

City Health Officer Dr. Nelner Omus led the vaccination activities in Olango Island as health workers brought the services closer to families in the island communities.

Mayor Ma. Cynthia King Chan said the city has intensified its vaccination efforts in both mainland and island barangays to reach more eligible children.

“Atong gipangusgan ang atong measles ug rubella vaccination efforts sa tibuok siyudad lakip na ang atong mga island barangays sa Olango, aron masiguro nga ang atong mga anak makadawat sa protection nga ilang gikinahanglan,” she said.

She urged parents and guardians to have their eligible children vaccinated, stressing the importance of timely immunization against measles and rubella.

“Importante ang timely vaccination ug ang cooperation sa mga ginikanan ug komunidad aron mapanalipdan ang atong mga anak batok sa measles ug rubella,” she said.

Chan also said measles and rubella are highly contagious but can be prevented through vaccination, adding that higher vaccination coverage could help close immunity gaps and prevent outbreaks.

The campaign was initially stated in the city’s information material as running from August 10 to September 4, while Chan’s statement said the vaccination drive would continue until September 10.

The campaign covers children aged six months to 59 months and provides the measles-rubella vaccine free of charge.

Chan’s granddaughter, the daughter of Basak Barangay Captain Jasmine “Daday” Chan, was among those vaccinated during the campaign.