The Department of Health in Western Visayas (DOH-6) has called on local government units (LGUs) to conduct their own community-based immunization campaigns to support the agency’s goal to continuously increase the vaccination rate in the region and protect vulnerable groups from vaccine-preventable diseases.
The statement was echoed by Dr. Jose Martin Atienza, immunization program medical coordinator of DOH-6, during the conduct of the National Immunization Activity on November 21, at Santa Barbara, Iloilo Municipal Gym.
Atienza stressed that all the vaccines under the agency’s immunization programs are available at local health centers, which LGUs can fully utilize through their own vaccination initiatives.
“The LGUs have the capacity to conduct activity such as this, and we are really recommending them to conduct this activity because through this we will also be able to disseminate information about the importance of vaccination and to be able to correct misconceptions about vaccines,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Immunization Activity, gathered infants, students, pregnant women, and elderly, wherein they availed vaccines for influenza, pneumonia, tetanus-diphtheria, and routine immunization.
Atienza said that they expected over 300 infants ages zero to 12 months old; 100 students each from Grades 1, 4 and 7; and 30 pregnant women to avail the immunization program; while also receiving lists of more than 100 individuals for influenza and pneumonia vaccines, respectively.
The agency, in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Education, Santa Barbara LGU, and other stakeholders, chose the town for the implementation of the National Immunization Program as it is one of the identified areas in Iloilo that still need improvement on its vaccination coverage.
Some of the residents who availed the program, on the other hand, expressed gratitude to the government, citing the importance of vaccination to protect their health.
“I really want to avail myself of the vaccine so that I can be protected, especially that I am already old, and I thank the DOH for bringing this kind of health program,” 63-year-old Claudio Serisola said in Hiligaynon.
“I availed the vaccine so that I will be protected against viruses and diseases. I also encouraged my fellow students and other people to avail the vaccines for their protection,” student Angelyn Margarrette Somcio also said in an interview.
The event was also attended by DOH undersecretary Dr. Mary Ann Palemo-Maestral, DOH-6 director Dr. Adriano P. Suba-an, DILG-6 director Juan Joviam F. Ingeniero, Santa Barbara Mayor Dr. Dennis S. Superficial, and other representatives from different agencies and stakeholders who all expressed support for the immunization program. (PIA Iloilo)