About 126,041 children aged 9 to 48 months, or four years old, in Negros Oriental will receive anti-measles vaccinations to be administered by the Integrated Provincial Health Office until Nov. 15.

The IPHO has intensified its "Knock-out Tigdas" campaign noting that 51 children were reported infected with measles last year, and nine as of September 2007.

It is a sequel to the 1998 and 2004 "Ligtas Tigdas" measles immunization drive of the national government, and the second follow-up measles campaign nationwide. Health workers will conduct door-to-door visit in every household to ensure that no eligible child is missed during the immunization.

Assistant Provincial Health Officer Edgar Barredo said the program towards making the Philippines measles-free has been carried down to local government units, and has shown positive results. The campaign is in support of the government's continuing efforts to reduce deaths among children below five years old, Barredo added.

The United Nations Children's Emergency Fund has cited the Philippines as the first country in Asia, and one of the few in the world, to aim for the elimination of measles, a major killer among children worldwide. The other health care services for children in Negros Oriental is the Garantisadong Pambata where vitamins and deworming are provided.*RG

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