The Municipal Health Office (MHO) of San Jose has announced that it had achieved a 45.4% completion rate for its supplemental immunization initiative, the Chikiting Ligtas ME-OPV campaign, as of May 22, 2023.

The campaign is a component of the broader effort led by the Department of Health (DOH) to combat rubella, measles, and polio.

The city’s health office reported that 6,728 children, aged between 0 and 59 months, have already received their supplemental immunization. The total target population for the program is 14,817 children.

The MHO, under the direction of Dr. Lordivino Mesina, has set an ambitious goal to vaccinate 95% of the target group. The strategy includes reaching out to the most remote areas of the city, including island barangays.

Parents are being encouraged to bring their children within the specified age range to receive the supplemental ME-OPV vaccine.

Mesina emphasized the safety of the vaccine, in response to public concerns about possible side effects, particularly during the peak of the pandemic.

“People had a fear during the pandemic that vaccines might have side effects, but this one is safe as it’s a supplementary dose,” said Mesina.

He also noted that the ME-OPV vaccine is included in the standard 5-in-1 vaccine administered to newborns.

Vaccination activities are continuing in every barangay in San Jose until the end of the month. Parents also have the option to directly bring their children to the MHO building for immunization.