The oral polio vaccine is safe for intake, the Quezon City (QC) government reiterated, as it lamented that a significant number of parents and guardians remain apprehensive about the vaccine.

“Oral polio vaccines are free. Therefore I appeal to everyone to have their children vaccinated. It is our responsibility to protect these children and our communities from polio,” QC Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement Tuesday.

Belmonte said a significant number of parents have refused to have their children vaccinated despite the explanations of health workers. Some parents worry about the side effects or refuse because their children have already completed the vaccination through their private doctors before these efforts.

“We strongly seek the cooperation of homeowners associations, and building officials in order to ensure that all children under five are vaccinated. Please allow our doctors to implement our citywide efforts, even in private subdivisions and high-rise condos,” she added.

The QC Health Department reiterated that the oral polio vaccine is safe and an additional dosage is an added protection to the children.

Since mid-October, the city government has been ramping up efforts to eradicate polio through the barangay and house-to-house oral vaccination campaign.

As of October 20, the QC Health Department, the Department of Health (DOH), and its partner agencies have vaccinated at least 160,000 children during the first round of synchronized oral polio vaccination.

The drive includes house-to-house vaccination efforts in fixed areas in barangays, malls, and bus stations. It is seen to benefit a total of 274,785 children aged 5 years old and below (0 to 59 months) within the city.

The second round of vaccination has been scheduled from November 25 to December 7. (PNA)