By Jhon Aldrin Casinas
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has vaccinated a total of 22,029 children ages 0 to 5 years old on the first day of the second wave of nationwide vaccination drive against polio.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Out of the total figure, the PRC has vaccinated 11,290 children on the first day of “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio” in Metro Manila on Monday.
The PRC said it is targeting to administer oral polio vaccines to 100,000 children during the 12-day period of the polio vaccination drive in the National Capital Region (NCR) and in Mindanao.
“Children being the most vulnerable in our society need utmost care and protection, especially when it comes to their health. PRC aims to have 100,000 children vaccinated against Polio,” PRC Chairman and Senator Richard Gordon said in a statement.
According to the PRC, around 4.4 million children below 5 years old in Metro Manila (1.3 million) and in Mindanao (3.1 million) need to be vaccinated.
For the second leg of the vaccination campaign, the PRC deployed a total of 1,113 volunteers and 73 staff grouped into teams composed of a team leader, vaccinator, recorder, and health educator.
A total of 25 chapters—nine from the NCR and 16 from Mindanao—have joined the second wave of “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio.”
In Metro Manila, the PRC vaccination teams administered polio vaccines in Quezon City, Pasay, Marikina, Manila, Caloocan, Pasig, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Taguig, Muntinlupa, and in Paranaque.
While in Mindanao, vaccinations were also conducted in Davao City, Davao Del Sur, Davao Del Norte, Davao Oriental, Lanao Del Sur, Surigao Del Norte, Agusan Del Norte, Agusan Del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, Bukidnon, General Santos City, Iligan City, Zamboanga City, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.