248 kids benefit from Chikiting Ligtas vax campaign in Bulacan
At least 248 Bulakenyo children were vaccinated during the Department of Health's Chikiting Ligtas Measles-Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-OPV SIA) held at SM Center Pulilan on Wednesday, May 3.
SM Supermalls has partnered with the Department of Health (DOH) in the launching of the Chikiting Ligtas MR-OPV SIA in 60 SM malls nationwide.
The month-long campaign is in partnership with Healthy Pilipinas, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organization (WHO) that aims to inoculate children aged 9-59 months against measles and rubella, and those aged zero to 59 months against poliovirus types 1 and 3.
SM Supermalls president Steven Tan emphasized the importance of the campaign and said they remain committed to creating a safer, better normal by providing a convenient, accessible, and enjoyable immunization experience to "SuperKids."
Tan encouraged shoppers, especially parents with children aged below five years old, to get their children's supplemental immunization against preventable diseases in 60 SM malls nationwide.
The DOH has reported a surge in cases of highly contagious and potentially fatal diseases such as measles, rubella, and polio.
According to the latest data from 2022, there has been an alarming 186 percent increase in cases, with measles being the most prominent disease.
This development highlights the pressing need to prioritize vaccination efforts in order to prevent a polio outbreak and contain the spread of these diseases, which poses a significant threat to public health.
“The only way we can prevent these life-threatening diseases is through vaccination. We, at SM Supermalls, are giving our full support to the DOH’s campaign by ensuring that our young stakeholders are given the opportunity to access Measles-Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine (MR-OPV) in the comfort of our malls,” Tan said.