Metro intensifies drive vs measles
by Francis T. Wakefield
January 12, 2014
Manila, Philippines — The health offices of the cities of Taguig, San Juan, and Valenzuela have launched a free immunization drive against measles as part of efforts to prevent an outbreak of measles.
Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano said the scope of the immunization campaign includes infants and schoolchildren in elementary and high schools, as well as adults who have not completed their immunization.
“We are bringing our health services closer to our constituents, and I want to encourage parents and those who have not received their complete vaccination yet to avail of this service,” Cayetano said.
In San Juan City, Dr. Victor Lacandola, San Juan District 1 City Health Officer, said that although they have not monitored any cases of measles in the city’s 21 barangays this year, they are not taking any chances.
He said one way of controlling a possible measles outbreak is by visiting each and every barangay and provide measles vaccination shots to children.
Lacandola said in December of 2013, they already started the vaccination drive in Barangays’ Crame and Salapan and they will continue the drive in the next couple of days in other barangays as well.
“Nung December nag start na kami mag bakuna sa Barangay Crame at Barangay Salapan. Nakakuha kami ng additional allocation of vaccines coming from the Department of Health (DoH),” Lacandola told TEMPO/Manila Bulletin during an interview.
“(But everything is) under control. We are trying to contain or preempt a possible outbreak. Pro-active ang approach namin,” he added. (With report from Carlo S. Suerte Felipe)
SOURCE: http://www.mb.com.ph/metro-intensifies-drive-vs-measles/