Polio Patak – A Safe Precaution to Prevent Polio Virus

According to Mister Eldy B. Sombilon, a registered nurse and the National Immunization Program Coordinator of Davao City Health Office, the Polio Patak is a nationwide program within which vaccines are freely given to communities to immunize infants who are zero (0) to fifty-nine (59) months old – infants who are at this age are said to be the most vulnerable to the Polio virus. It has been implemented due to the recent Polio outbreak, which became an international concern in the Philippines.

“WHO (World Health Organization) and UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) have been alarmed after learning that there’s a Polio virus in the environment,” Sombilon stated. The outbreak hasn’t reached Davao City yet. However, cities from different regions have already been affected which is why the government was urged to take precautions to aid the problem. “The virus in the environment exists because of the improper disposal of wastes or feces that carries the virus,” he added. The Polio Type 2 vaccine (which is the same vaccine that is currently being used) has been omitted from the routine of the Community Immunity program of the government way back in 2015 since it has already been confirmed that the virus has been eradicated back then. However, after the recent alarming outbreak, the vaccine has been brought to the limelight again.

Amid the fact that a lot of efforts have been constantly poured out for this program to be successful, Sombilon sadly admitted that the program is still struggling to have a wider coverage, which he blamed Dengvaxia for, after causing a stigma among parents. He, nonetheless, ensured the parents that the Polio Patak is one-hundred (100) percent safe and there is nothing parents should concern themselves with since the vaccine they are giving has been used for 30 years already. Furthermore, he also encouraged parents who have not yet immunized their children to not be afraid to take a step in doing so since this is for their protection after all.

“No more, no less,” Sombilon said when asked about the supply of vaccine and its sustainability. The WHO and UNICEF provided the exact and enough supplies for their specific target and the program is set to end on February 2, 2020. (Robert Ramirez, Sheila Mae Sumagang, and Julie Mae Taguno)