The Philippine Red Cross announced today that over 31,000 children have been vaccinated against polio in two large parts of Luzon.
The PRC led by Sen. Richard Gordon vaccinated 31,880 children aged zero to five-years-old in Region 3 and Region 4-A.
PRC said that the first of two rounds of the “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio” immunization drive achieved 80 percent of target, a feat which was made more “remarkable” as it was set against the backdrop of the quarantine situation in these areas.
Gordon lauded the efforts of the anti-polio immunization drive team.
“In spite of the fears created by the COVID-19 virus, PRC staff and volunteers pushed on with its immunization program unmindful of the risks,” Gordon said.
The immunization teams are composed of a team leader, the person actually administering the vaccine, a recorder, and a health and hygiene promotion staff.
Ten PRC chapters participated in the program and deployed 23 members of their staff and engaged 233 volunteers to reach out to 72 communities in 20 cities and towns in Regions 3 and 4-A.
A second round of vaccination will be held this month implemented through the PRC partnership with the International federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Committee of the Red Cross, World Health Organization, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, and the Department of Health.