ANGELES CITY -- A total of 43,392 Angeleño kids aged 0-4 years old have received free anti-polio vaccines from the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Angeles City Government.

The implementation of the vaccination program “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio (SPKP),” by the Angeles City Government, led by Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr., was commended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“Congratulations City of Angeles. You did a great job, all your best without any reservations. Your quality of implementation was remarkable. Please take rest, refresh, and get ready for the second-round fight,” Dr. Bezu Beshir, WHO Representative in Technical Assistance, wrote in a text message.

Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, meanwhile, said that the City Government has reached its target number of beneficiaries for SPKP, garnering 89.61 percent, which is the third-highest completion rate in Central Luzon, according to the DOH –Central Luzon.

Lazatin then cited the efforts of city health workers to carry out the house-to-house oral vaccination amid the pandemic, ensuring that all safety protocols are being strictly observed.

“Despite the pandemic, we are grateful that we have conducted the mass immunization successfully yet carefully at the grassroots level to guarantee the safety and welfare of the Angeleño kids in the city’s 33 barangays,” Lazatin said.

Dr. Verona Guevarra, city health officer, said they have formed 240 teams to expedite the vaccination program so that all children ages 0-4 could avail of the free health service.

Evelinda Mariano, city health nurse supervisor, added that the second batch of the SPKP will take place in September.

Lazatin is encouraging parents to allow their kids to be vaccinated, saying this is for the benefit of their children’s health. (PR)