Manila attains 86.7% of target in measles-rubella vaccination 

About 86.7% of Manila City’s children have been vaccinated against measles and rubella since the start of "Chikiting Ligtas sa dagdag bakuna kontra Tigdas at Rubella" program last February 1.

This was reported by Manila City Mayor Francisco 'Isko Moreno' Domagoso after he was interviewed by reporters this morning, February 15, after the local government’s weekly flag-raising ceremony.

“Yung bakuna sa bata, sa Tigdas, ang Maynila ay 86% na in less than 2 weeks, 86% ang nabakunahan sa target market which is yung mga bata so in just less than 2 weeks, nakakatuwa naman, masisipag yung ating mga kawani sa Manila Health Department,” Domagoso said.

“So with that we learned a lot of things already and we’ll move on the moment na nandiyan na yung [COVID-19] bakuna and we’re expecting it hopefully soon,” the Mayor added.

Meanwhile, Manila City Health Officer Dr. Arnold "Poks" Pangan said the Manila Health Department (MHD) may be able to finish the said vaccination program on Wednesday, February 17, almost two weeks ahead of its schedule.

"We would really want to finish it by February 17, I think kakayanin naman given the performance ng ating healthcare workers the past few days,” the City Health Officer said.

Dr. Pangan added it is best for the local government to finish the measles-rubella vaccination program prior to the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines. This will allow the city government’s health personnel to fully focus on the upcoming COVID-19 vaccination activities.

"We targeted na matapos talaga agad itong measles vaccination para mas makapaghanda rin ang Manila Health Department sa COVID-19 vaccination. The vaccines may arrive anytime," said Dr. Pangan.

"Helpful din para sa ating medical frontliners ang measles vaccination activity na ito dahil kahit papaano ay na-familiarize sila ulit sa proseso ng pagpapabakuna," he added.

The program to vaccinate children against measles is implemented nationwide through coordination between the Department of Health (DOH), World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, RELIEF International, Healthy Philippines, and local government units across the country.