THE Department of Health (DOH)-Davao Region said the Philippines is at high risk for polio (Poliomyelitis) due to low immunization coverage, thus, they are strengthening their vaccination campaign against the disease.
DOH-Davao Region National Immunization Program manager Janis Olavides said the Philippines has been free from polio since 1993.
Polio is an infectious viral disease that usually affects young children. The virus is transmitted by a person to another through contaminated water or food.
The virus multiplies in the digestive system, especially in the intestine. It can invade the nerves and in major cases can cause paralysis.
“Right now, wala pama’y mga kaso sa polio. Ang last case pa nato sa polio was in 1993 but Philippine is considered as high risk for polio that’s why bago pa muabot sa atoa, kinahanglan protektado na kita against polio,” Olavides said.
They are also calling on the parents of children below five years old to avail of the free vaccination especially if their children still lack the required number of polio vaccination to protect their children.
The oral polio vaccine is given routinely on the sixth, 10th, and 14th week of the baby. On the 14th week, aside from the oral polio vaccine, they are also given the inactivated polio vaccine.
“Kung ang mga bata kulang pa ng isa, kinahanglan gyud siya matagaan. Right now, sa month of September, we strengthen the polio vaccination,” she added.
Olavides said the Philippines is considered as high risk because for the past years the coverage of polio vaccine has decreased. DOH aimed for 95 percent coverage, however, they only recorded 67 percent nationwide.
In Davao Region, the polio immunization coverage is only at 67 percent in 2018 and for cumulative data from 2016 to 2018, the coverage of polio is only at 72 percent.
“Hindi naman po mahirap ibigay si polio kasi oral pero kasi may mga factors that would really stop the parents from bringing their children to the health centers... that’s why we need to strengthen this because we are high risk,” she said.