Around 62,000 children in Caloocan City received anti-polio and anti-measles vaccines and Vitamin A supplements from May 2-7, the local government announced on Thursday, May 11. The vaccination program is under the Department of Health's "Chikiting Ligtas" vaccination campaign that aims to protect the children with ages zero to 59 months old from vaccine-preventable diseases. The vaccination drive in the city will run until May 31. The city government said that a total of 3,898 children already received Vitamin A supplements while 26,181 were immunized against measles, and 31,743 got vaccinated against polio. Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo "Along" Malapitan thanked the city residents for their cooperation in keeping the children safe against various diseases. (Photo from Caloocan City Public Information Office/MANILA BULLETIN) “Mahalaga na kaagapay natin ang mga magulang sa isinasagawa nating malawakang bakunahan laban sa rubella, polio, at tigdas (It is important that we are being supported by the parents in our extensive vaccination drive against rubella, polio, and measles)," he said. City Health Department head Dr. Evelyn Cuevas said that the city government aims to reach all barangays in the city to immunize the children. “Wala pong lunas ang mga karamdamang ito at tanging pagpapabakuna ang susi upang magkaroon ng proteksyon ang mga bata, kaya naman sinisiguro po natin na may sapat na kaalaman ang mga mamamayan at mapuntahan ang bawat barangay (There is no cure for these diseases and vaccination is the only key to protect the children, that's why we make sure that the citizens have enough knowledge and that every barangay is visited)," Cuevas said. Malapitan encouraged the parents to get their kids immunized by bringing them to the city's health centers or through the house-to-house vaccinations conducted by the city health workers.