HEALTH officials in Northern Mindanao are aiming to immunize around 82,000 children in Cagayan de Oro City against polio, as the “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio” campaign kicked off at a covered court in barangay Gusa Monday, November 25.
The Department of Health (DOH)-Northern Mindanao has assured that polio vaccines are enough to cover more than 95 percent of the target.
DOH-Northern Mindanao OIC director Dr. Adriano Suba-an said they created a readiness checklist for polio vaccines in the different facilities in provinces, municipalities, and cities in the region prior to the kickoff of the “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio.”
"For the supply, the assurance is given to us na dili magkulang atong supply. Ang ato lang himuon is for the parents to please bring their children an access to their vaccinations. Kasi special sya, you cannot buy it in the market [or] sa botika," Suba-an said.
He further said that the polio vaccines given are used to combat the type 2 polio virus.
Mayor Oscar Moreno also encouraged those living outside Cagayan de Oro to avail of the vaccine.
He also urged those who have relatives or friends outside the city to help disseminate the information about the campaign.
"I want us to realize ang health has no boundaries. We should not confine our attention sa ato lang," Moreno said.
"Although nationwide kining bakuna pero we must not be concerned only with ourselves kay mag unsa man safe kita kung naa pa gihapon sa ubang parte sa Mindanao, naa pa sa Visayas. It will just be a matter of time, mo-spread na pud na sya," he added.
The polio vaccination is slated until Friday, November 29.