CHO asks support for polio vaccines

CEBU, Philippines —  With the re-emergence of the polio virus in Cebu, the City Health Office (CHO) has confirmed that they have vaccines for routine immunization, but lacks vaccines for defaulters.

“Nag inventory na ta sa atong polio vaccine, it’s identified more on routine immunization,” said Cebu City Health Officer Dr. Daisy Villa.

Villa said that defaulters are those who were given the first dose, but were not given the subsequent doses.

She said that the routine immunization is given primarily to those less than five years old; for one month and a half; two months and a half; then for the three months and a half, both for the oral and injectable vaccines.

The Department of Health (DOH) has also conducted an inventory on the availability of the vaccines.

And since there is a lack in supply, they would just focus on the more affected areas, like near the Butuanon river, which was tested positive for polio virus.

“Naa gyud available for routine immunization.  Ang atong extra is we will be targeting it on those defaulters. Meaning to say, natagaan sila og first dose, second dose wala na follow-up sa staff, kay wala na follow-up sa BHW (Barangay health worker) so defaulter na to siya,” said Villa.

The CHO is now looking on the details to find these defaulters.

Villa said that the CHO is conducting a city-wide vaccination for newborns every month.

“Nakita nato for the past three years, supposedly we have to look into the past three to five years nakita nato na nagkaanam ka gamay after the Dengvaxia,” said Villa.

On the required immunization count for the barangays, Villa said that there is even a barangay who only has 37 percent completion rate on the supposed number of vaccinated children.

She said that the priority is given to the children, particularly those who are from zero to 59 months.

She said Mayor Edgardo Labella and Vice Mayor Michael Rama both assured that the city will support the department’s request for budget for additional vaccines.

She added that they are also coordinating with the DOH on the purchase of these vaccines.  GAN (FREEMAN)