ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Department of Health's Center for Health Development here is launching a 17-day massive campaign on immunization in the Zamboanga Peninsula region targeting ages 0-23 months old.

CHD chief Dr. Augusto Manalo Alpichi on Friday said that the agency is gearing up to implement an essential health campaign through a massive regional immunization drive starting on 13 to 29 November.

Alpichi said the comprehensive immunization campaign has been devised to safeguard the health of children aged 0-23 months by ensuring they receive timely vaccinations.

He added that the DoH-9 aims to protect them from various health threats which, if contracted, could lead to personal suffering and significant financial burdens to the family.

Alpichi also stressed that the vaccines employed in the campaign are safe and integral to the Philippine healthcare landscape for years, effectively shielding children from preventable diseases.

Among the vaccines that health care officials and volunteers will be provided are for Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Diptheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Flu (Pentavalent Vaccine), Polio-OPV, Polio-IPV and Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccines.

According to Alpichi, local health centers and health facilities will conduct house-to-house immunization during the period while fixed vaccination posts will be established at Barangay Health Centers, Rural and District Health Units, Barangay Health Stations, Private Clinics, and Out-patient Services Departments of Hospitals.

Meantime, CHD's Dr. Reynalyn P. Elshazly said that temporary vaccination posts will be set up by partnering with local government units in locations like bus terminals, malls, markets and other high-traffic areas.