The first two days of the measles-rubella supplemental immunization activity (MR-SIA) covered 7,407 children, aged 6- 59 months old, in Antique.

Antique Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) Health Education and Promotion Officer II Irene Duldoco on Wednesday said they target to reach 56,730 eligible children for the MR-SIA, which runs until Aug. 28, 2026.

Dulduco, in an interview, said that municipal health officers from Antique’s 18 municipalities formed vaccination teams deployed to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) to ensure all target children are covered.

She added that GIDAs are prioritized, especially when the weather conditions are fine.

“Since Antique is always experiencing inclement weather, the municipal health teams have to prioritize kids in the GIDAs during fair weather. Kids in the lowland areas are accessible anytime,” Duldoco said.

The Department of Health (DOH) provided sufficient vaccines and augmentation nurses for Antique, Dulduco added.

“Don’t panic if the child develops fever and other adverse reactions to the vaccine,” she said.

She said parents may seek consultation for their children if the fever lasts for three days.

IPHO has been campaigning for support for the immunization activity, especially since a lone case of measles was reported in the Municipality of San Jose de Buenavista in March this year.

Dulduco said they were alarmed, considering that measles is highly contagious. (PNA)