BAGUIO CITY, Oct. 26 (PIA) - - The Department of Health Center for Health and Development- Cordillera (DOH - CAR), in partnership with the City Government of Baguio, launched today the regional implementation of the Measles Rubella - Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization (MR-OPV SIA) Activity in a program and ceremonial immunization of children.

DOH - CAR Regional Director Dr. Ruby Constantino was joined by Philippine Pediatric Society of Northern Luzon President Dr. Efren Balanag, Kimberly Bernardo of UNICEF and city officials headed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

DOH Undersecretary Lilibeth David and World Health Organization Philippine Representative Sweet Alipon also shared their messages online while a polio case from Ifugao and a congenital Rubella syndrome case from Baguio also shared video testimonial.

Amid the COVID pandemic, it is equally important that the children are protected from vaccine- preventable diseases that include measles, rubella and polio, Constantino said as appeals to parents, guardians and caregivers to bring their children for vaccination to ensure a healthier future of the country's next generation.

Eligible for the MR vaccine are 0 - 59 months old children while the OPV is for 9 to 59 months old children.

She assured that minimum health standards will be observed and safety protocols will be in place to ensure the safety of everyone from the coronavirus disease during the immunization.

Constantino expressed gratitude to the different local government units in the region and other health partners for their support to the MR - OPV SIA.

The MR-OPV SIA is a month- long activity from October 26 to November 25.

DOH - CAR targets to immunize 182,036 children for the MR vaccine and 155,721 children for the OPV, a bivalent vaccine against Type 1 and 3 polio virus.

For the MR immunization, there are 20,215 target children for Abra; 11,456 in Apayao; 29,989 in Baguio City; 38,754 in Benguet; 20,208 in Ifugao; 20,896 in Kalinga, and 14,203 in Mountain Province.

For the OPV, there are 23,449 target children beneficiaries in Abra; 13,294 in Apayao; 35,327 in Baguio City; 45,641 in Benguet, 23,514 in Ifugao; 24,345 in Kalinga and 16,466 in Mountain Province.

The immunization activities will be conducted in fixed posts such as health centers, rural health units, barangay health stations and private clinics or outpatient department of hospitals, as well as in temporary posts that may include community centers, schools or churches group, basketball courts or any open and wide spaces where the families of eligible children are living. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)