CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The Department of Health (DOH)-Central Luzon is not leaving a stone unturned in its quest to protect the public from all types of diseases as it announced the resumption of its anti-polio drive.
The National Polio Immunization Campaign, which will kick off on July 20, 2020, is part of the national effort, in partnership with World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund, to enhance polio prevention in the country.
The first phase of its round one will start from July 20 to August 2 in Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Angeles City, and City of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan.
It will be followed by another phase from August 3 to 16 in Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales, and a second-round in the whole of Central Luzon from September 7 to 20.
The campaign aims to boost immunization against polio by giving doses of Monovalent Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (mOPV2)--WHO pre-qualified, safe, and with no concerns for overdosage-- for all children under five years of age (0-59 months old) regardless of their immunization status.
"To ensure interruption of poliovirus transmission, at least two successive rounds of Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio will be done, each with an aim of at least 95 percent coverage to ensure no child is left behind," DOH-Central Luzon said in a statement.
The agency added that a synchronized polio vaccination program is one of the essential health services needed to be delivered promptly, especially to protect the population from poliovirus infection.
"Amidst the Covid-19 health pandemic, this mass immunization campaign shall push through with strict infection control precautions followed by all health workers and the community. Wearing of masks, disinfection, temperature check and physical distancing shall also be implemented," it furthered.
The DOH is appealing for the participation of all parents/caregivers, health workers, Barangay Officials and local government units for implementation of a quality campaign to successfully end the outbreak.
Parents/caregivers are also urged to safeguard their child’s immunization card and make available for proper recording of immunization doses.
Routine immunization schedules are to be continued as well, to prevent other vaccine-preventable diseases.
DOH also calls on all local governments to intensify acute flaccid paralysis surveillance as evidence of contained transmission. Reiteration of zero open defecation practices, strengthening of environmental sanitation and personal hygiene, such as frequent hand washing, are also of critical importance.
"Vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease and its transmission. Sustained synchronized efforts of all must be ensured," DOH said.