Zamboanga City Tuesday, May 2, kicks off the nationwide measles, rubella and polio supplemental immunization activity (MR-OPV SIA) deploying over 100 vaccination teams to reach out target population by the end of the month.

Mayor John Dalipe together with City Health Office personnel and barangay officials led the kick off ceremony at the Sangali covered court to demonstrate the city’s commitment to the campaign which aims to provide additional protection to eligible children and prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, rubella and polio.

Dalipe enjoined parents, guardians and caregivers of children 0 to 59 months old to submit their children for immunization during the month-long MR-OPV SIA either through the house-to-house, fixed sites or mobile sites approach that the City Health Office has adopted.

Assistant City Health Officer Dr. Cathy Garcia cited the importance of complete immunization for children 0-59 months old stressing that this is necessary to forestall impending outbreaks.

The CHO targets to vaccinate 79,973 children aged 9-59 months with the measles rubella vaccine and 93,802 children 0-59 months old with oral polio vaccine.

The activity is supported by the Department of Health Regional Office 9 which targes to achieve the 95% vaccination rate for children in Zamboanga Peninsula. 

MR-OPV SIA will run until May 31, 2023. (Sheila Covarrubias)