ILOILO CITY -- The Department of Health (DOH-6) is targeting to immunize 52,228 babies across Western Visayas region under the annual vaccination program that kicks off on Thursday, May 26.
Dr. Daphynie Teorima, DOH chief for immunization program, said that Iloilo and Negros Occidental provinces are the two top priorities for the “Chikiting Bakunation” program.
“They are either not vaccinated or only partially vaccinated,” said Teorima.
These babies who were born during the Covid-19 pandemic are supposed to be vaccinated against measles, polio, or hepatitis B.
Teorima added that DOH-6 is also prioritizing the immunization program of babies on top of the continuing vaccination program against Covid-19.
Of the areas in Western Visayas, the province of Negros Occidental has the highest number of unvaccinated or partially vaccinated babies with 15,628.
Iloilo province ranks second with 12,766 babies while Capiz province comes next with 6,212 babies.
The number of unvaccinated or partially vaccinated babies are 5,802 in Bacolod City, 5,005 in Antique province, 4,136 in Aklan, 2,020 in Iloilo City, and 659 in Guimaras.