AS the Department of Health (DOH) is now preparing a rapid response to the polio outbreak in some parts of the country, Councilor Maria Lourdes Gaane is urging parents to fully participate in the free routine Oral Polio Vaccination in their respective barangay health centers.
Gaane convened the committee on health and health insurance last week to hear updates on poliovirus after the DOH announced that polio is re-emerging in the country.
According to the DOH, rapid response includes a series of synchronized OPV to protect every child under five years old in areas at risk beginning this month.
During the meeting, a representative of DOH clarified that there will be no “house to house campaign” in the city for the month of October since the government is now prioritizing high risk areas as recommended by the World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund.
Polio is an infectious disease which spreads rapidly. It can cause paralysis and, on rare occasions, can be fatal. There is no cure for polio. It can only be prevented with multiple doses of polio vaccines that have long been proven safe and effective.
A representative of the City Health Office (CHO) said they are waiting for more supplies from the DOH since the CHO supply is only for routine vaccination. “Wala’y extra to provide massive polio immunization,” he said.
According to the DOH, the city health office will have to submit data before the DOH will provide resources for this.
“But we cannot assume nga apil ta sa risk kay pwede man pud for whole Region 10 e-identify nila ang province,” she said. (sp)
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