More than two million children have been vaccinated against measles and rubella, while 800,000 kids received the oral polio vaccine amid the ongoing supplemental immunization campaign of the government, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday, May 9. As of May 7, there were 2.3 million children nationwide who were vaccinated against measles and rubella, said DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire during a press briefing. “Ito po ay katumbas ng 24.2 percent ng ating total eligible population for measles and rubella vaccines (This is equivalent to 24.2 percent of our total eligible population for measles and rubella vaccines),” said Vergeire. Previously, the DOH said that over nine million children aged nine months to 59 months old are targeted for measles-rubella vaccines. On the other hand, Vergeire said that  829,165 children have already received their oral polio vaccine. Earlier, the DOH said  more than 11,000,000 children aged zero to 59 months are being eyed for oral polio vaccination. Vergeire expressed hopes that they will attain their targets to prevent possible outbreaks of these vaccine-preventable diseases. “Hopefully. Ito po yung ating pinapakiusap sa ating mga kababayan…dahil alam natin pag hindi natin narating ang ganitong coverage or target, maaring magpatuloy pa rin ang threats ng outbreaks ng tigdas, rubella, at polio sa ating bansa (This is what we are appealing to our citizens...because we know that if we do not reach this target, it is possible that the threat of outbreaks of measles, rubella, and polio in our country may continue),” she said. “Humihingi tayo ng tulong sa mga local governments, pagtulungan natin ang pagbabakuna sa ating mga kabataan (We are asking for the help of local governments, let's work together to vaccinate these children) because this is the only way that we can prevent further infection and outbreaks among our children all over the country,” she added. To note, the government launched the supplemental immunization campaign called  “Chikiting Ligtas 2023: Join the Big Catch Up, Magpabakuna para sa Healthy Pilipinas!” last April 27. This nationwide immunization activity will run until May 31.