‘Kontra Polio’ first leg reaches 96.8% of target

The first leg of the govern—ment’s Balik Patak, Kontra Polio drive last Feb. 2-8 was able to administer oral polio vaccines to 11.7 million children, Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit said, citing reports from 16 health development centers as of last Monday.

Although the figure translates into 96.8 percent of the targeted 12 million children, Dayrit gave assurances that the number could rise as reports from far-flung areas are received.

DOH statistics show that the National Capital Region exceeded its target by five percent, reaching a total of 1.7 million children, through a door-to-door immunization strategy.

The same was true for Central Luzon where a 103.6 percent vaccination rate was achieved, from its initial target of 1.2 million children.

A 100-percent accomplishment, on the other hand, was reported in Bicol, Eastern Visayas and the Caraga region.

"The fight against the mutant poliovirus is not yet over," said Dayrit, reminding the public that the second leg of Balik Patak, Kontra Polio is scheduled on March 2 to 8.

During the second leg, Dayrit said children below five years old, who took part in the first leg, will be given an extra dose of oral polio vaccine (OPV) to ensure their protection against the mutant poliovirus.

The mutant poliovirus was said to be from a "weakened" strain of the poliovirus contained in the OPV administered to children in the 1990s.

Dayrit said the same door-to-door approach will be used in the second leg to ensure the success of Balik Patak, Kontra Polio. Patak centers will also be set up in certain barangays. — Rainier Allan Ronda