In light of the recent polio epidemic taking place in the country, the Philippine Red Cross has initiated an oral polio vaccination (OPV) program. The door-to-door program serving areas in Metro Manila and Mindanao was launched on Monday, October 14 and will last until October 27. This is being done in hopes of immunizing children against the disease.
(Polio Reappears In The Philippines After 19 Years)
A total of 550 trained PRC staff and volunteers will be administering the vaccination program. According to Richard Gordon, chairman of the PRC, the target for this program’s period is to vaccinate around 30,000 children.
“Our target number for the children to be vaccinated is 30,000. PRC wants your children to be safe. Vaccines will keep away your children from diseases. It is the most effective way to prevent polio. Together, we can stop the spread of polio,” Gordon said in a statement.
The statement also explained that the organization will keep a master list of children receiving the vaccine: “Once vaccinated, a record will be made to make sure that no child will miss the two (2) remaining doses of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). These are planned to be administered between November 2019 to January 2020.”
It also ensured that parents and guardians would be informed of the imperative for the vaccine. “Red Cross volunteers and staff will also ensure the parents understand the importance of oral polio vaccine. They will also be handed information education and communication materials explaining the polio outbreak and its implications and a general knowledge of vaccination,” the statement read.
(Parents, please vaccinate your children)
The mass vaccination program is being conducted in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH). The Red Cross Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are also in support of the initiative.
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