DOH-XII assures to implement precautionary measures in polio immunization

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, July 3 (PIA) – The Department of Health- Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) XII assured that precautionary measures will be implemented during the Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio (SPKP) Mindanao-wide immunization on July 26-August 2, 2020.

In a press conference Wednesday, Dr. Edvir Jane Montañer, Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Coordinator of DOH-CHD XII said they have crafted the regional safety protocol guidelines to ensure the safety of children and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) during immunization.

She clarified that the oral polio vaccine prior to the pandemic and the one which will be administered during the SPKP campaign are the same, but the only difference is now, the DOH wanted to be on the safe side to avoid the transmission of the COVID-19 disease and to avoid putting the blame on the polio immunization program.

“Ang tanging kaibahan lang naman po sa ngayon at sa dati is mas intensify po yung ginagawa po naming advocacy ngayon dahil nga po sa fear of COVID-19 pandemic. Another is because ayaw po din namin na magkaroon ng transmission from the vaccinator to the vaccinee or yung bata at bakunador, we have implemented or crafted a regional safety protocol guidelines based on the Regional IATF guidelines. Same lang naman po yung bakuna na binibigay po namin, medyo lang po nasa safe side lang po tayo lahat, para po wala pong magiging  hawaan o hindi po magiging dahilan o idadahilan yung aming ginagawang kampanya na magkaroon ng COVID ang isang bata,” she explained.

Montañer said there are strategies that will be implemented by the DOH and the City and Municipal Health Offices in the region which include “house-to-house and fixed posts.”

She assured that BHWs will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) like the wearing of facemask and face shield as one of the precautionary measures especially during house-to-house immunization to avoid the spread of the disease.

For fixed posts, she said, children can also be vaccinated in health centers, hospitals, lying-ins for newborn, and orphanages to ensure that all children 0-59 months old will get the vaccine.

She, however, clarified that they don’t encourage vaccination inside the malls and in checkpoints as children are prohibited in these areas.

Montañer emphasized the need to continue the polio immunization campaign which was suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She admitted that immunization coverage has decreased because of the pandemic, but should not be set aside as there is no cure for polio.

“We cannot paralyze the immunization of our children. We cannot paralyze or still suspend the polio immunization. Amidst the COVID pandemic we need to save our children,” she pointed out.

DOH-CHD XII Assitant Regional Director, Dr. Sulpicio M. Legaspi urged parents to let their children get immunized for free as polio is contagious and the best way to protect them is to get three doses of the vaccine.

“What is the good thing is we have the vaccine, it is free and readily available. It can be obtained in the nearest health center,” he said.

The region, he added, has a total target of 575,000 children with 75,000 kids in General Santos City. We have a 90% total coverage last year and we are gearing towards achieving the 95% if not 100%.

He also explained that every eligible child should be immunized as it only takes one child to be the “focus of an outbreak.”

Montañer also emphasized that because of the intensified campaign since November 2019 no additional case was recorded in the region in addition to the first seven cases reported last year.

However, she clarified that this should not be a reason to stop because the World Health Organization and the United Nations International Children’s Fund will validate if the campaign is effective to bring back the “polio free country” status for Philippines.  

Meanwhile, Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Head, Dr. Dyan Zubelle R. Parayao reminded individuals and entities to follow the protocols and guidelines on COVID-19.

Parayao said Republic Act No. 11332 or the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases or Health Events of Public Concern Act” penalizes any violator from Php20,000-50,000 fines or imprisonment from one month to six months, or both.

“If a specific individual or entity na non-cooperative sa guidelines or protocol regarding COVID-19, mayroon po tayong tinatawag na Republic Act 11332; ito po yung Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases. Nakalagay po sa Section 9 na ‘non-cooperation of persons or entities that should report or respond to notifiable diseases or health events of public concern shall fine 20 thousand to 50 thousand (pesos) or be imprisoned from 1 month to six months, or both.’ So yun po yung mga consequences if specific individuals or entities will not follow the protocol or the guidelines about COVID-19.,” she added. (PGFruylan/PIA-Gensan)