Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 4) — The Department of Health (DOH) and the Manila City local government on Thursday brought routine immunization against polio, rubella, and measles to the Manila Zoo.
This is to encourage parents to have their children ages zero to five immunized, to achieve the 95% coverage this month, with its Chikiting Ligtas campaign.
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When asked if the vaccination program would continue in the coming days at the Manila Zoo, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said they were thinking about it.
“Pinag-aaralan pa kung itutuloy natin (ang bakunahan dito sa Manila Zoo). Kung ito makakatulong to encourage ‘yong ating mga magulang, bakit naman hindi,” she said.
[Translation: We’re still studying if we will continue our vaccination efforts here at the Manila Zoo. If this could encourage parents, then why not.]
“Ginawa na natin ‘yan noong panahon ng bakunahan sa COVID, pwedeng pwede po nating gawin ulit,” Lacuna added.
[Translation: We already did this during our vaccination drive for COVID, and we can certainly do it again.]
The local government of Manila aims to achieve 80% coverage in the next two weeks.
DOH Director for Disease Prevention & Control Bureau Nikka Hao emphasized the need to immunize children against these vaccine-preventable diseases for their own safety.
“Ito ang only way to prevent it — walang cure, walang lunas kapag nagkaroon ang mga bata ng mga ito, kaya dapat binibigay natin lahat ng pwede nating i-protekta sa kanila,” she explained.
[Translation: This is the only way to prevent it — there is no cure if our kids get infected, which is why we must give them everything that could protect them.]
The DOH stressed that vaccines given to children are not only proven safe and effective, but also provided free of charge at local health centers.
