Davao City achieves 102% in anti-polio drive for kids

The Davao City government has achieved 102 percent of the targetted 186,864 children to receive the oral polio vaccine as it winds down the five-round “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio” in the city.

On the last day of the fifth and final round of the anti-polio vaccination campaign on August 2, 2020, the City Health Office (CHO) recorded a total of 191,575 children receiving the OPV vaccine.

Dr. Julinda Acosta, the head of the Technical Division of CHO, said that the CHO teams achieved 102.52 percent or 4,711 more from the target 186,864 children.

Acosta cited the support of Mayor Inday Sara Duterte and the office of the City Vice Mayor, Sebastian “Baste” Duterte for the success of the anti-polio drive. Mayor Sara and Vice Mayor Baste have been encouraging healthcare workers and the barangay captains to continue with the campaign.

“Isa sa mga factor nga nakapa-motivate sa atoang mga healthcare workers ang go signal ni Mayor nga ipadayon gihapon ang campaign despite the Covid-19 situation. Dako sab ang tabang sa office sa Vice Mayor kay sila mismo ang nag-imbita sa mga kapitan sa among online orientation sa Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio (One of the factors that motivated our healthcare workers is the go signal of Mayor Inday to continue the campaign despite the Covid-19 situation. The office of the Vice Mayor also helped in inviting the barangay captains to attend our online orientation of Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio),” she said.

The CHO was also thankful to the healthcare workers, volunteers, and barangay officials for their dedication and commitment to achieving the goal of the city. Also, to the parents who cooperated and trusted the health workers to conduct the vaccination following the basic health protocols against Covid-19.

Acosta added that one of the factors which encouraged parents to avail of the anti-polio vaccine for their children is their realization of the importance of vaccines as protection against diseases.

Although the CHO finished the Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio, routine immunizations are still conducted in all Health Centers. Some of the vaccines offered by CHO are Measles vaccine, Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine, Diphtheria, and Tetanus vaccine.

Acosta also called on to all senior citizens to avail of the free Flu and Pneumonia vaccines in their nearest Health Centers. Also, girls aged 9 to 14 years old to avail of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine or anti-cervical cancer vaccine. CIO