THE GOVERNMENT has resumed vaccinating nearly 3.5 million children against diseases such as measles, rubella, and tetanus diphtheria.

The Department of Health said the vaccination coverage decreased significantly in 2020 because of the pandemic.

To ramp up the vaccination of children against infectious diseases, the DoH and Metro Manila Center for Health Development on Wednesday launched the Community-based and Catch-up Routine Immunization.

With the theme “Bakuna pagtibayin, paigtingin,” the campaign aims to provide accessible routine vaccination to infants aged 23 months and below; and school-age children 6 to 7 and 12 to 13 years old through enhanced and whole-of-society approach.

“Providing a better future for our children also entails keeping them healthy and protecting them from various illnesses,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

“One measure is through vaccination which is proven safe and effective and has saved countless lives,” he added, noting that parents should actively learn about vaccines and coordinate with their barangay health centers to have their children vaccinated.

Routine immunizations are usually held in schools but these activities were halted because face-to-face classes were suspended for over a year.