Photo courtesy of Eastern Samar Provincial Information Office
More than 90,000 children in Eastern Visayas received protection against measles and rubella during the opening week of a government vaccination campaign, health authorities reported.
The Department of Health in Eastern Visayas recorded 90,110 vaccinated children from August 10 to 14, equivalent to 31.06 percent of the region’s target population.
Eastern Samar led the campaign with 44.27 percent coverage. Tacloban City followed at 36.30 percent, while Biliran and Northern Samar reached 32.09 percent and 31.83 percent, respectively.
Leyte registered 31.65 percent coverage, while Southern Leyte reached 27.46 percent. Ormoc City and Samar recorded lower rates at 25.42 percent and 23.01 percent.
Health authorities aim to immunize 445,961 children across Eastern Visayas before the regional campaign concludes on August 28.
Children aged six months to 59 months are eligible for the measles-rubella vaccination regardless of whether they previously received similar immunizations. Vitamin A supplements are also being provided during the campaign.
The DOH attributed the initial turnout partly to cooperation with local governments in making vaccination services more accessible. It also urged families to verify information about immunization instead of relying on unverified claims circulating online.
Health officials maintained that measles-rubella vaccines have been widely used for decades to prevent infections and serious complications, as the government continues efforts to increase coverage during the remaining days of the campaign.