FOLLOWING the re-emergence of polio in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) is set to conduct a massive immunization program in the next three months.
From October 2019 to January 2020, DOH targets to immunize over 500,000 under its Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio program.
According to the DOH, "Polio is an infectious disease which spreads rapidly. It can cause paralysis and, on rare occasions, can be fatal."
The health agency said there is currently no cure to polio and the only way to prevent it is through vaccination.
In a SunStar Davao report by Juliet C. Revita on October 1, DOH-Davao Director Annabelle Yumang said the first round of mass polio vaccination will be on October 14 to 27, covering all children five years old and below in Davao City and Davao del Sur, regardless of their immunization status. This means that even if the children have already received polio vaccines previously, they will still be given the vaccine.
The second round is from November 25 to December 27 and the third round will be on January 6 to 18, 2020.
Yumang said the immunization will cover not only Davao region but entire Mindanao as well.
This is a good time for parents to take advantage of DOH's immunization program. We understand there are still lingering effects of the Dengavaxia scare around two years ago but parents should not sacrifice the health of their children.
Parents will not have to worry about the vaccine because the World Health Organization and the Department of Health have assured that the vaccine is safe and effective. The vaccine already being used for decades now is enough to allay whatever fears parents may have.
"It is horrible for a child to suffer from polio just because his/her parents failed to get him/ her vaccinated. No child should be left with a disability or worst die just because his/her parents are too busy or refused to get them vaccinated due to misconceptions," Yumang said.