The City Health Office (CHO) denied stories circulated that there is a Covid vaccine trial being conducted here in Zamboanga City.
Corazon V. Pagotaisidro, City Health Office Immunization Program Coordinator told RPN DXXX Zamboanga, they have received reports that some parents in Brgy. Salaan were misinformed that the Measles Rubella vaccines are COVID vaccine trials and could result to effects similar to that of the controversial Dengvaxia years ago.
When healthcare workers came to the said area, she said, parents hid their children from the healthcare workers saying that they heard from an FM radio station that what is being given is Covid vaccine being tested.
Immediately she talked to the parents and guardian to convince them to have their children vaccinated which later on they were convinced.
Pagotaisidro stressed, “We do not have any Covid vaccine testing being done. What we are giving is the Measles Rubella vaccine.”
Meanwhile, for the Measles Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR SIA) the CHO have already vaccinated 69 percent 55,854 children as of November 10.
The office is targeting to vaccinate 81,219 children for the MR SIA scheduled from October 26 to November 25, 2020.
The program is targeting children nine months to below five years old regardless of the immunization status.
This will be done to protect these children from Measles Rubella and its complications.
In times of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) this will done by purok and in health centers. Assessment on the children will be first done before giving the vaccine.
One of the challenges they are facing is the weather and the lack of personnel. However, Pagotaisidro is optimistic that they will reach the target. (R.G. Antonet A. Go)
(Source: Interview with Corazon V. Pagotaisidro, City Health Office Immunization Program Coordinator)
