The Department of Health (DOH) has extended its nationwide immunization drive against measles, rubella, and polio until June 15, 2023. DOH-6 Director Adriano Suba-an assists in administering the oral polio vaccine to a toddler in Numancia town, Aklan (Photo courtesy of DOH)

Dubbed as “Chikiting Ligtas,” the DOH’s inoculation initiative seeks to end highly transmissible but vaccine-preventable infectious diseases such as measles, rubella, and polio. Chikiting Ligtas 2023 was launched on April 27. The campaign was supposed to end on May 31, but given its 15-day extension, it will be conducted until June 15, 2023. “[Ang bakuna kontra tigdas at rubella  [ay maaari sa mga batang edad] nine hanggang 59 buwan. [Samantalang] ang bakuna kontra polio (OPV) ay [maaari sa mga batang edad] zero hanggang 59 na buwan (Measles and rubella vaccines are available for children nine to 59 months old. Meanwhile, the polio vaccine is allowed for children aged zero to 59 months),” said the country’s health department. As of May 30, a total of 7,541,867 children or at least 77.72 percent of the eligible population have been vaccinated against measles while 2,188,891 kids or 67.87 percent of the target were inoculated against polio. Apart from these, the DOH said they have also given vitamin A supplements to a total of 3,600,773 children.