Image via WikipediaAn April 4, 2011 press release by the Department of the Interior and Local Government
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo today called on all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, and barangay chairs to spearhead the measles immunization drive in their respective local government units.
Robredo made the call in support for the government’s “Iligtas sa Tigdas ang Pinas,” a project initiated by the Department of Health (DOH), which aims to immunize about 18 million children, nine months to below eight years old.
Specifically, he asked local chief executives to conduct door-to-door mass immunization in all areas including remote communities.
“This door-to-door measles campaign aims to immunize children who were missed by the routine measles immunization and to give booster doses to those who already received measles-containing vaccines,” Robredo said in his directive.
Citing the DOH 1987 Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) report, the DILG secretary noted that the annual coverage for routine measles vaccination given to infants aged 9 to 11 months never reached the target of at least 95 percent, with the highest coverage ever attained being 92 percent and the lowest, 67 percent.
Robredo also enjoined local chief executives, who serve as chairs of the local health boards, to designate a point person, preferably the Local Health Officers, who will coordinate with the DOH and oversee the immunization activities.
Likewise, local executives are encouraged to issue local resolutions or ordinances showing support to the campaign, set aside an amount necessary in sustaining the campaign, and promote the campaign in hospitals, rural health units, health centers, including those in the barangays.
He explained that the measles immunization campaign is in line with the Philippines’ commitment to eliminate measles in 2012, the target year agreed upon with other countries in the Western Pacific Region.
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