A total of 112,440 children received their immunization shots through the Pasig City government's local implementation of the Department of Health (DOH)'s "Chikiting Ligtas" program this May. According to the city's Public Information Office (PIO), 64,855 children, nine to 59 months, were immunized with vaccines against measles and rubella. Meanwhile, 47,585 infants zero to nine months were inoculated with the anti-polio oral vaccine. Children get vaccinated during the kick-off ceremony of the "Chikiting Ligtas" campaign in Pasig City on May 2, 2023. (Pasig PIO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The local government launched the "Chikiting Ligtas" campaign in Pasig City last May 2. It aimed to encourage parents and guardians to have their children vaccinated to prevent them from contracting life-threatening diseases in their early stages of development. It also served to further educate parents on the importance of vaccinations for infants and help the local government keep track of the vaccination rates in the city. Previously, the local government said it targeted to inoculate 60,000 children, nine to 59 months, for the measles and rubella vaccine, and 70,000 zero to nine months old for the polio vaccine. Health centers in all of Pasig's 30 barangays offered free measles, rubella, and polio vaccinations. The city health department also partnered with the DOH and the private sector to hold “Chikiting Ligtas” vaccination drives in private hospitals, malls, and markets. The local government assured that all vaccines that were utilized for the program are safe, effective, and have been tested and used in other countries. The DOH recently extended the implementation of the “Chikiting Ligtas” campaign to June 15. Parents and guardians whose babies have not been vaccinated are advised to contact their nearest barangay health center concerning the availability and schedules of vaccinations.