THE Provincial Government of Iloilo is integrating its vaccination program in its celebration of Nutrition Month this July.

The province launched Project Nutrivac: Nutrition and Vaccination Towards a New Normal during the kickoff celebration of the Nutrition Month on July 4, 2022 at the Capitol lobby.

This year’s Nutrition Month theme is, “New Normal sa Nutrisyon, Sama-Samang Gawan ng Solusyon.”

Project Nutrivac was created through Executive Order 307 issued by Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. last July 2. It aims to increase the vaccination coverage of the province towards economic recovery; promote family nutrition and strengthen the public’s health against Covid-19; and incentivize vaccination to increase vaccine uptake.

In his speech, Defensor said he wants to sustain the Provincial Government’s intensive measure and frontline strategy on vaccination.

“As we celebrate Nutrition Month with the Department of Health and National Nutrition Council, we also take this opportunity to integrate our vaccination program,” he said.

Under the program, the province will conduct an intensified regular and booster vaccination for priority eligible populations.

The Provincial Government has so far inoculated 80.10 percent of its priority eligible population for the first dose while 74.37 percent were completely vaccinated.

But only 225,019 or 13.36 percent have availed of booster dose. A total of 40,901 (17.10 percent) senior citizens and 47,454 (33.35 percent) for the rest of the adult population received their booster shots.

The province will also undertake nutrition actions pursuant to DOH-NNC Cluster Advisory 01 and DOH-NNC Cluster Advisory 02 to strengthen the health of the general population.

Nutrivac packs will be distributed to families with children who are underweight, wasted or stunted; those who will avail themselves of Covid-19 vaccination; and to indigent families.

Municipalities shall be allocated Nutrivac packs based on nutrition indicators and pro-rated based on population.

Provincial data on nutrition among 0-5 years old showed that 2,552 children (1.58 percent) are wasted while 12,016 (7.46 percent) are stunted.

The Department of Education reported that among 5 to 12 years old in the province, there are a total of 15,404 children who are severely wasted and 3,242 who are severely stunted. (PR)