THE City of San Fernando took the lead in the regional launching of the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) mass vaccination program of Central Luzon co-organized by Department of Health (DOH)-Central Luzon on Tuesday, March 6, at Colegio de Sebastian.
Central Luzon was one of the first four regions in the Philippines to be granted permission to conduct a free vaccination program for JE and to perform a mass vaccination launching program, alongside regions I, II, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
In this capital city, the vaccination was performed on children coming from all five rural health units whose ages range from 9 to 59 months old. JE, a viral infection that is spread through mosquito bites and might cause human disability and fatality, is prevented through vaccination, a way which has been used by various countries for three decades now, according to DOH.
Dr. Wilda Silva, National Expanded Program on Immunization coordinator, said that the vaccination launch is usually held in March, in preparation for the wet season, when cases of JE are prevalent to children.
“Kaya natin napili na gawin ang pagbabakuna tuwing Marso ay dahil tumataas ang kaso ng JE tuwing rainy season. So, bago pa lang tumaas yung afflicted or magkakasakit ng JE, ay mabigay na natin yung wastong proteksyon (We chose to do the vaccination every March since JE cases rise during the rainy season. So even before the number of afflicted or would be afflicted increases, we must already give the proper protection),” explained Silva.
For his part, Mayor Edwin Santiago encouraged every parent in the city to support the campaign towards combatting the spread of JE in the city.
“Ibinababa na ang vaccination program sa mga health centers natin. Katuwang natin ang City Health Office kaya yung mga magulang, inaanyayahan natin na ipabakuna yung mga bata sa ating mga centers. Malaki ang ating maiiaambag sa aspeto ng kalusugan kung tayo ay susunod,” said Santiago.
(We are now cascading the vaccination program in our health centers. Together with the City Health Office, we are encouraging parents to have their children vaccinated in our centers. It will be a great contribution to our health program if we follow)
Following the launch, the vaccination will now be available to all health centers in the city for the whole month of March. Also present during the activity were Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin, DOH-Central Luzon director Cesar Cassion, and City Health Officer Dr. Eloisa Aquino, together with health personnel from all seven provinces in the region. (PR)