Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan urged the city's 896 barangay leaders to encourage their constituents to avail of the free polio vaccines that are being offered in 44 health centers.
Lacuna-Pangan said that the administration of polio vaccinations is being undertaken by the Manila Health Department (MDH) headed by Dr. Arnold “Poks” Pangan.
According to Dr. Pangan, the free polio vaccination in the city started on April 15 and will run until May 15.
He added that children who are 59 months old and below or five years old and younger can avail of the vaccine.
He also said that walk-ins are accepted but it is better to register online for an appointment.
He said that the online appointment would allow the city health authorities to record their data for future references.
The mayor asked the residents to acquire early prevention and not wait for the symptoms to appear before getting themselves checked in the city's health centers.
"Prevention is always better than cure. Tangkilikin ninyo ang ating mga health centers. Pabakunahan po ninyo ang inyong mga anak, apo o alaga (Support our health centers, so get your children or grandchildren vaccinated),” the mayor said.
“H'wag na po kayong makipagsiksikan sa ospital, kung matutugunan ng health center ang inyong problema. Sila po ang magsasabi kung kailangang sa ospital kayo magpunta (Don't go to the hospital if our health center can provide you with services for your problem. They are the ones who will say if you need to go to the hospital),” she added.
The mayor added that visiting the city's health centers gives them the opportunity to check the other medical services offered by the MHD for free.