112,000 kids get vaccine in 2nd round of anti-polio drive

THE second round of the Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio for monovalent oral polio vaccine (MOPV) conducted January 20 to February 2 vaccinated a total of 112,571 children below five years old.

The accomplishment rate was 109.4 percent.

Dr. Dulce Miravite, city health officer, said amid the challenges, health workers and volunteers were able to accomplish way above the target number of eligible children of 105,890.

Miravite said that of the total 112,571 children reached, 19,878 were zero to 11 months, while 92,693 were 12 to 59 months old.

Regionwide, Miravite said Zamboanga City achieved the second highest number of children vaccinated, with Isabela City as top one with 110.3 percent coverage.

She said that Dipolog City came in third at 107.9 percent, followed by Pagadian City at 107.8 percent.

The next round will be the bivalent OPV or bOPV for children below 10 years old regardless of immunization status from February 17 to 23. Third round will run from March 23 to April 4.

As this developed, Salazar recognized the efforts of the health workers and volunteers, as well as partner agencies for successful implementation of the anti-polio program. (SunStar Zamboanga)