THE City Health Office (CHO) has urged parents to have their children, including newborns, to get vaccinated against illnesses.
Vilma Gonzaga, CHO District Health Office A head, said that parents must not be swayed by opinions that vaccines are harmful, although many of them believe these interventions are beneficial to the children’s health.
“Naay pipila na mahadlok na sa sugod pa lang, dili na gyud magpabakuna pero gamay lang gyud kayo na porsyento; siguro sa usa ka barangay naay isa or duha pero gina-follow up na namo sila from time to time to try to change their minds,” Gonzaga told the City Information Office.
She added that vaccines are necessary, especially children below one year old, adding that they can obtain these from district health centers. “Kani siya libre ug accessible gyud na sa tanang health center. Kahit asa sila na health center naa gyud ang immunization kay isa gyud na maka-prepare laban sa mga sakit-sakit sa atong mga anak gyud,” she added.
On Wednesdays, she added, health centers in the city hold vaccination specified in the National Immunization Program (NIP) of the Department of Health (DOH) even as CHO personnel also hold house-to-house vaccinations to track down those who missed their vaccination schedule.
Children must be able to get two doses each of vaccines against measles, mumps and rubella when they are at most one year old.
Last year, the city government was able to immunize 74.4% of its target.
