DOH readies polio vaccination program

The Department of Health is now working on vaccinating thousands of children against polio amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic slowed down the government’s immunization program since the lockdowns started in March.

As of June, the DOH has recorded 25 polio infections and 16 cases, which referred to children who already experienced disability due to the virus, said Dr. Maria Wilda Silva, DOH national immunization program manager, in press briefing.

Among the priorities for vaccination are the National Capital Region and the neighboring Calabarzon region. Calabarzon comprises the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon Province.

Both NCR and Calabarzon are dealing with the rising number of COVID-19 infections.