The City Health Office (CHO) is set to vaccinate 81,290 children for Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity scheduled from Oct. 26 to Nov. 25.

Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite, CHO chief, on Tuesday said the program aims to immunize children nine months to five-years-old regardless of the immunization status to protect them from measles-rubella and its complications.

Miravite said that the city government has not yet lifted its declaration of a measles outbreak in 2018 because the highly contagious virus still persists in this city.

Meanwhile, Corazon Pagotaisidro, City Health Office Immunization Program coordinator, said the orientation of personnel in 16 health districts is ongoing in preparation for the supplemental immunization activity.

Pagotaisidro said the children will be properly screened before they will be immunized.

Measles is a highly communicable viral illness transmitted to direct contact with nasal or throat secretion of an infected person or by articles freshly soiled with nose and throat secretion.

The only way to prevent the disease is through vaccination and a strong community (herd) immunity. (PNA)