Department of Health (DOH) – CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) or DOH IV-A Regional Director Eduardo Janairo today lauded the city government of Cabuyao for being the first local government unit in the country to accomplish a 100-percent vaccination coverage during the second round of Measles-Rubella Oral Polio Vaccination Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR OPV SIA 2), which started last February 1, 2021.
“The successful completion of the measles vaccination in Cabuyao was due to the strong LGU support and all the stakeholders involved in the activity,” he stated.
“The success of any public health program and project rely not only on the technical expertise of health officials or the adequate resource mobilization. It requires the most important component, which is the widespread grassroots support guided by an able leadership and clear policy,” he added.
As of February 13, 2021, Cabuyao City in Laguna has already completed a 101.54-percent for measles and 95.50-percent for polio vaccine coverage, which places them on top of the list followed by Gapan City in Nueva Ecija with 95.77 percent for measles and 95.5 percent for polio.
According to Janairo, the target number of eligible children for vaccination in Cabuyao is 26,591. “The city has already immunized a total of 27,001, which exceeded the target.”
Completing the top ten LGUs in CALABARZON with the highest MR-OPV coverage are Tagaytay City with 90.28 percent for measles and 87.44 percent for polio; Trece Martires City with 81.12 percent – measles and 82.82 percent – polio; Calamba City with 78.09 percent – measles and 79.33 percent – polio; Santa Rosa City with 76.40 percent and 73.59 percent; Laguna with 71.98 percent and 71.37 percent; General Trias City with 67.92 percent and 69.23 percent; San Pablo City 66.05 percent and 66.04 percent; and Binan City with 61.10 percent for measles and 61.32 percent for polio.
From among the regions where the 2nd phase of MR OPV SIA is being conducted, Central Luzon ranks first with a total of 71.67 percent vaccinated children with measles-rubella and with 28.33 percent remaining target, followed by Western Visayas with 59.91 percent and with remaining target of 40.0 percent of children. CALABARZON with 55.36 percent vaccinated children and 44.64 percent remaining target, Eastern Visayas completed a 53.54 percent measles vaccination with 46.46 percent remaining target, and Central Visayas with 38.72 percent accomplishment and 61.28 percent still to be vaccinated.
For regional OPV coverage, Central Luzon tops the region with 71.71 percent coverage and 28.29 percent remaining target followed by Western Visayas at 58.38 percent and 41.30 percent; CALABARZON with 55.38 percent completed and 44.62 percent remaining; Eastern Visayas with 53.28 percent accomplishment and 46.72 percent still for vaccination and Central Visayas at 31.91 percent completed with 61.04 percent remaining target.
The total measles vaccination coverage is now at 57 percent (2.32 million) with 43 percent (1.76 million) children still to be vaccinated. For polio, a total of 57 percent (2.71 million) were given OPV with 43 percent (2.07 million) remaining target.
“I encourage parents and guardians of children aged 0-59 months to avail of the free vaccines to protect your children from the measles and polio virus.”
“Wala pong gamot sa polio at measles ngunit ito po ay maiiwasan sa pamamagitan ng pagbabakuna laban dito. Huwag po kayong mangangamba dahil ito po ay ligtas at mabisa,” he emphasized.
The MR OPV SIA 2 is a month-long activity from February 1-28 currently conducted in the regions of Central Luzon, CALABARZON and Eastern, Western and Central Visayas.