President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has asked parents to have their children vaccinated against measles, rubella, and polio. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office) In a video message, he called on parents to support the vaccine campaign of the Department of Health (DOH). “Bilang mga magulang, nasa atin ang responsibilidad na proteksyunan ang ating mga anak laban sa sakit (As parents, it is our responsibility to protect our children against illnesses),” he said. “Hangad po natin na magkaroon ng ligtas na kapaligiran at malusog na pangangatawan ng bawat batang Pilipino (We want to have a safe environment and good health for every Filipino child),” the President added. He assured parents that the vaccines are “libre, ligtas, at epektibo (free, safe, and effective”, so they need not have apprehensions about them. Marcos said parents must bring their children to the nearest health center or barangay vaccination sites. “Huwag po nating hayaan na malagay sa panganib ang ating mga anak dahil sa Tigdas, sa Rubella, o sa Polio (Let us not allow our kids to be endangered because of measles, rubella, or polio),” the President asked. “Magpabakuna para sa mas malusog at produktibong Pilipinas (Vaccinate for a healthy and productive Philippines),” he added. The DOH launched in May the Chikiting Ligtas program to vaccinate children ages nine to 59 months for measles and rubella, and zero to 59 months for polio. Aside from local health centers, some malls also serve as vaccination sites.