THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), with the help of key stakeholders, has vaccinated a total of 803,516 children against poliovirus, reaching its 95 percent target all over the region.

The two-week polio immunization campaign, dubbed as "Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio" (SPKP), is the program of Department of Health (DOH) to end polio in the country by immunizing children under five years old and children under 10 years old in some areas in Mindanao.

Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan, minister of health (MOH) in Barmm, said the SPKP in the region ran from July 20 to August 9.

Barmm is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Dipatuan said the immunization is a commitment to protect the children in the region from other diseases, such as the poliovirus, while facing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

The MOH-Barmm has assured that community-based public health practitioners assigned for the polio-vaccination strictly observed health and safety measures during the entire conduct of the campaign in response to health crisis brought about by the Covid-19.

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious disease that affects the spinal cord, causing muscle weakness and paralysis and can eventually lead to death.

It is caused by the poliovirus that spreads from person to person.

Though incurable, polio can be prevented through vaccination. (SunStar Zamboanga)