CITY OF SANTA ROSA, LAGUNA – A week after the City’s action plan on cases of measles was laid, this city has vaccinated 49% of the targeted children.
In its action plan, the city will vaccinate against measles a total of 52,544 children with ages 6-59 months old by March 15 this year.
During a meeting held February 26, 2019, Dr. Soledad Rosanna Cunanan, City Health Officer II, reported that to date total of 24,919 children have been vaccinated.
The action plan was laid down in response to the growing number of measles cases in the country. In Santa Rosa, before the action plan was implemented, 52 cases with one (1) death were reported.
After one week, 34 cases were reported, bringing the total to 86 cases.
Cunanan, however, expressed confidence that the cases will be reduced as soon as the team proceed with the massive vaccination.
Vaccination will no longer be limited in the health offices and the Santa Rosa Community Hospital. To ensure that the cases are reduced and to meet the target, vaccination will be conducted in the health centers of the 18 barangays. Designated fixed posts will also be installed in puroks, which will be announced.
This city will hire additional nurses for one month to assist the health offices and the barangay health workers in the conduct of the planned door-to-door vaccination drive.
The Santa Rosa Community Hospital has created a measles ward to address the number of patients. The hospital has also requested for additional nurses to augment the current number of nurses in the ward.
The Division of Schools of Santa Rosa, on the other hand, will conduct school-based vaccinations in schools after getting the consent of parents.
Meanwhile, the regional office of the Department of Health in Region 4 has committed to provide the vaccines to the City Government.
Non-government organizations such as the Philippine Red Cross and Rotary Club are assisting in information dissemination.
For inquiries on the vaccination drive and relevant information on measles, residents are urged to contact Dr. Cunanan of City Health Office I at 530-0015 local 5309 and 5310, Dr. Erwin Escal of City Health Office II at 544-1285, and Dr. Parnell Patacsil of Santa Rosa Community Hospital at 533-9098, 534-4571. City Information Officer I, Tugaris Zapanta, can also be contacted at 0927-626-7869.
Residents may also inquire with the barangays regarding the vaccination.
