The city government said it is set to complete the five rounds of the “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio” for over 186,864 children by August 2 this year.

In a statement Wednesday, the City Health Office said some 174,082 children here were given Oral Polio Vaccine (OVP), representing over 93 percent of the city’s target of 186,864.

Of the 174,082 vaccinated children, CHO recorded 60,555 immunized children from District 1; 60,591 from District 2; and 52, 936 from District 3.

Dr. Julinda Acosta, head of the Technical Division of CHO, said they have been conducting house-to-house immunization to ensure that strict health protocols against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) were observed.

“Because of the pandemic, we thought many would not avail of the vaccine. But based on the coverage, we accomplished a lot,” Acosta said.

“We conducted a re-orientation with our staff and barangay captains to ensure that the vaccination will be implemented safely between the parents and the child and the health workers,” she added.

Acosta assured that health workers were provided with personal protective equipment, face shield, face mask, and sanitizers.

“Barangay captains from some Poblacion areas raised that some children are not around and are in other provinces due to the pandemic. But we are still hopeful that we will reach at least 95 percent in these areas,” she said.

In the first round, CHO teams managed to immunize 99.48 percent of the targeted number of children; 105.11 percent in the second round; 108.87 percent in the third round; and, 104.57 percent in the fourth round.

Acosta has called on all parents to have their children ages five years and below to avail of the OVP since it is the final round of vaccination. (PNA)