Mayor Beng Climaco Wednesday urged parents to have their children vaccinated against polio emphasizing that vaccinations are safe and proven effective.

This, as she led the simultaneous polio immunization campaign at the Doña Isabel C. Climaco health center in Sta. Maria together with City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Miravite and Department of Health officials Wednesday morning.

The national government has launched a massive anti-polio vaccine campaign in light of the resurgence of polio in the country after 19 years.

The activity in Sta. Maria was simultaneously done in all health centers in the city with Sta. Maria, Tetuan and Sta. Catalina as centers of the activity.

Dubbed ‘Sabayang Patak Contra Polio’, the vaccination drive is in line with the World Polio Day on October 24. The city held the event a day earlier to coincide with the ‘bakuna’ day in health centers which falls on Wednesdays.

Dr. Miravita said the polio virus, along with other vaccine-preventable diseases, is always found in the environment which makes vaccinations vital for protection and lasting immunity.

For polio, three doses are needed by children under one-year-old for full protection against the virus.

Constant handwashing and sanitary preparation of food and drinks are additional ways to prevent polio.  (Sheila Covarrubias)