Davao City: An official of the City Health Office bared that all is set for the Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio from July 20 to August 2, 2020 and urged full participation to end polio.
Dr. Julinda Acosta, technical division chief of the City Health Office pointed out that the anti-polio vaccination is important to guarantee that paralysis no longer happens in the communities.
The Department of Health aims to ensure that all children below five-years-old are protected against polio virus by giving them two-drops of anti-polio vaccine regardless of their vaccination status.
She assured the safety of parents, children with the health workers who will administer the anti-polio vaccine wearing personal protective equipment in doing the “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio.
“The anti-polio vaccine is only administered by the government and it is not available in the market,” she pointed out.
She explained that the anti-polio vaccination will be done on a house-to-house or fixed sites, as long as the social distancing is complied.
“No children must be left behind.” This is the battle cry of the Department of Health in the current anti-polio vaccination program, “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio,” according to Dr. Acosta, citing that this vaccination activity is open to everyone as they observe no borders in this campaign.
She said clients must wear masks, must observe social distancing, hand hygiene where one washes hands with soap and water and alcohol.
Acosta expressed the challenges in the conduct of the polio vaccination now.
She observed the face-to-face encounter in ordinary situation no longer happens since no one knows the carrier of the COVID-19 infection because most of those afflicted is asymptomatic.
Acosta reiterated health workers have to wear the PPEs to guarantee the safety of the children, parents and the health worker in the “Sabayang Patak, Kontra Polio” Program of the government. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)