Manila Health Department finishes over 80% measles vaccination in 9 days

MANILA, Philippines—The Manila Health Department (MHD) successfully finished over 81.6% of the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity in the City of Manila.
MHD began the vaccination activity on February 1 and based on the latest report, 14,936 children in the city were vaccinated in a span of 9 days.
Manila City Health Officer Dr. Arnold Pangan said the MHD aims to complete the program before the city begins its vaccine rollout for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“We targeted na matapos talaga agad itong measles vaccination para mas makapaghanda rin ang Manila Health Department sa oras na magsimula na tayo sa mass COVID-19 vaccination dito sa Manila,” he said.
He added that the measles vaccination is also helpful for medical frontliners to prepare and familiarize themselves with the city’s vaccination process.
The Manila Public Information Office (MPIO) said the program to vaccinate children against measles is implemented nationwide through coordination between the Department of Health (DOH), World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, RELIEF International, Healthy Philippines, and local government units across the country.
Dr. Pangan further stated that the MHD is ready to vaccinate the remaining 25,890 children in the city by next week. AAC