Minister seeks leaders’ support for immunisation

 HEALTH and HIV/AIDS Minister Michael Malabag has urged leaders to support the immunisation campaign for tetanus toxoid in provinces and districts.

The third round of the vaccination that started last year will be held from June 17 to July 26.

“We need to make sure our national and local leaders support and commit resources to deliver immunisation and maternal and child health (MCH) services,” he said in a statement.

Malabag said part of the campaign would include routine immunisation of children below five years old, vitamin A supplementation and controlling of worm infestation. 

He said clinic showed in May this year that most, if not all districts in 20 out 22 provinces had achieved immunisation coverage of less than 50%.”

“Only one to two districts each in seven out of 22 provinces achieved coverage of more than 80%,” he said.

“This means that the greater majority of our newborns are not protected from the danger of tetanus infection when the mother is not vaccinated.”