GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Sarangani provincial government is hoping to increase its vaccination status for measles and rubella in the upcoming month-long supplemental immunization campaign to prevent possible outbreaks.

Dr. Arvin Alejandro, Sarangani health officer, said Monday they are targeting to achieve a 95 percent immunization rate in the Oct. 26 to Nov. 25 activity as set by the Department of Health (DOH)-Region 12.

In 2019, the agency said the province only recorded an accomplishment rating of 68.10 percent or “six to seven out of 10 children fully-immunized” for measles and rubella.

“We need to increase our herd immunity against measles and rubella,” Alejandro said in a statement.

He said they have identified a total of 57,828 children aged nine to 59-months-old from its seven municipalities as eligible for the vaccination.

Based on the DOH’s guidelines, he said the vaccines will be administered to the children regardless of their immunization status.

Alejandro said it is important for all eligible children in the province to be immunized for the two diseases as they are highly contagious and could cause severe complications that will lead to death.

In 2018, at least 21 infants and children were reported killed due to a measles outbreak that affected 11 sitios (sub-villages) of Barangay Upper Suyan in Malapatan town.

“It is the right of children to be given complete immunization before reaching one year old,” he said.

Alejandro said the vaccination activity will strictly follow minimum health protocols in connection with the continuing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

He cited the two-meter physical distancing, wearing face masks and face shields, and regular hand sanitation.

The assigned health workers, who will be conducting the vaccination in fixed posts, are properly trained and aware of the infection prevention and control measures to minimize Covid-19 transmission, he said. (PNA)