Negros Occidental placed second in the Measles-Rubella Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR OPV SIA) among the six provinces in Western Visayas as of Sunday, the Department of Health reported today, March 1.
Among the top 20 local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas that reached the 95 percent immunization target are Murcia, Talisay City, Sagay City, Candoni, La Castellana and Cadiz City in Negros Occidental, the report also said.
The DOH has extended the MR OPV SIA for another week in areas with less than 95 percent coverage, Dr. Emilia Monicimpo, DOH Western Visayas regional director, said.
The extension of the activity is up to March 7.
There are 84,541 eligible children in Western Visayas who remain unvaccinated for MR and 116,275 for OPV, the DOH report said.
This means Western Visayas posted 87 percent MR coverage and 84.90 percent for OPV, it added.
Iloilo topped the provinces in the region in terms of coverage with 94.48 percent for MR and 90.91 percent for OPV, followed by Negros Occidental with 91.59 percent for MR and 89.25 percent for OPV, the DOH report said.
“The DOH Western Visayas Center for Health Development is coordinating with concerned LGUs to identify areas needing mopped–up activities to reach and immunize all children aged 0 to 59 months old, Monicimpo said.*