The Muntinlupa City government is aiming to protect children against polio, measles, and rubella through a free immunization campaign.
Until the end of the month, the city government is holding the "Chikiting Ligtas (Safe Kids)," a free city-wide immunization campaign against polio for children from zero to 59 months old, and against measles and rubella for kids aged 9 to 59 months.
Mayor Ruffy Biazon at the vaccination center (Photos from Muntinlupa PIO)
"We encourage all parents to have their children immunized against polio, measles, and rubella. As parents, we have the obligation to protect our children from these life-threatening illnesses through immunization," said Mayor Ruffy Biazon.
"Chikiting Ligtas" is an initiative of the Department of Health (DOH) with the goal of raising the country's protection against an outbreak of measles, polio, or rubella in the near future, due to the low vaccination turnout brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The city government said health experts warn that, if left unaddressed, a major outbreak could have serious consequences. Polio is incurable and can lead to paralysis. Rubella, while treatable, could have harmful effects if contracted by a mother during pregnancy. And measles could lead to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare viral neurodegenerative disease activating up to 10 years after a measles infection that is almost 100 percent fatal.
"Vaccines are safe, free, and effective. These have undergone enough studies and clinical trials, so there is no need to worry--these are meant to protect our children," Biazon said
Parents of children from infants to 59 months can avail of the free vaccination for the whole month of May at the following venues:
- All Muntinlupa health centers: Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun): Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m.to 5 p.m.
- SM Center Muntinlupa: Mondays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Metro Gaisano Alabang: Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to noon