ILOILO CITY—The Department of Health (DOH) has assured that challenges brought about by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis won’t affect its immunization programs for young children this year in Western Visayas region.
Dr. Daphynie Toerima, DOH-6’s 6 chief for Child Health and National Immunization Program, assured that immunization for measles, rubella, and oral polio vaccine will continue.
This assurance came even as a majority of the manpower at DOH-6’s regional office in Iloilo City were still under quarantine since last week after more than 20 employees were infected by the dreaded virus.
“Despite our situation right now, we want to clarify that our preparations are ongoing,” said Toerima.
DOH-6 has set a target of 770,279 children who need to be immunized for measles, rubella, and oral polio vaccine. These are newborn children until almost four-years-old.
Meanwhile, the DOH-6 Development Management Offices (DMOs) are currently monitoring local government units (LGUs) for their readiness for this year’s immunization programs.