Lapu-Lapu City has expanded its measles-rubella vaccination campaign to the island communities of Olango as health workers work to increase coverage among eligible children.
As of Aug. 20, only 9,303 of the city’s 48,856 target children aged 6 to 59 months had received the vaccine, translating to about 19 percent coverage, according to the Lapu-Lapu City Health Office.
The campaign is being conducted under the Ligtas Tigdas Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA) in partnership with the Department of Health-Central Visayas Center for Health Development.
City Health Officer Dr. Nelner Omus led vaccination activities in Olango, bringing the service closer to families in the island barangays.
Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King-Chan said the city is continuing vaccination activities in both mainland and island communities to reach more eligible children.
“Atong gipangusgan ang atong measles ug rubella vaccination efforts sa tibuok syudad lakip na ang atong mga island barangays sa Olango, aron masiguro nga ang atong mga anak makadawat sa protection nga ilang gikinahanglan,” King-Chan said.
She urged parents and guardians to have their eligible children vaccinated and stressed the importance of timely immunization against measles and rubella.
“Importante ang timely vaccination ug ang cooperation sa mga ginikanan ug komunidad aron mapanalipdan ang atong mga anak batok sa measles ug rubella,” she said.
King-Chan said measles and rubella are highly contagious but preventable through vaccination, adding that increasing immunization coverage could help close immunity gaps and reduce the risk of outbreaks.
The supplemental campaign covers children aged 6 to 59 months and provides the measles-rubella vaccine free of charge.
The city’s information material initially indicated that the campaign would run from Aug. 10 to Sept. 4, while King-Chan’s statement said vaccination activities would continue until Sept. 10.
King-Chan’s granddaughter, the daughter of Basak Barangay Captain Jasmine “Daday” Chan, was also vaccinated during the campaign.
Photo courtesy of Lapu-Lapu City PIO
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