THE Department of Health (DOH) Davao recorded 95.5 percent immunization coverage in the second round of region-wide mass polio vaccination in an effort to curb transmission of the contagious disease and achieve a polio-free country.
DOH Davao director Dr. Annabelle Yumang on Monday, December 23, was elated by the turnout of their vaccination campaign. In Davao Region, they targeted 575,845 children for their massive campaign to address the polio resurgence and 549,662 total number of children 0-59 months-old were vaccinated.
During the launch, DOH Davao hopes to achieve 95 percent but they exceeded their target.
The second round of their massive immunization dubbed as Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio kicked off on November 25 and culminated on December 7. On the other hand, the third round will be on January 6-18, 2020.
The first round of mass polio vaccination that was held on October 14 to 27 covered all children five years old and below only in the areas of Davao City and Davao del Sur, regardless of their immunization status. For the second and third round, it will all cover the provinces in Davao region.
The vaccines used were funded by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef).
Children five years old and below will receive three doses of Oral Polio Vaccination (OPV) and one dose of Inactive Polio Vaccine for them to be protected against the polio virus.
In Davao City, a more aggressive approach has been taken to ensure that all children in the city will be vaccinated. Health workers put up booths in terminals, malls, checkpoints and other entry points to make immunization more accessible to the public.
Part of the strategy of the Davao City Health Office was the house-to-house visit.
In September, water sample from Davao River tested positive for polio. The result drew apprehension from the public. But after the first round of the vaccination driver, in November, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine declared the Davao River poliovirus-free but officials said that they are not complacent.