LGUs told to widen dog vaccination coverage

THE Iloilo Provincial Veterinarian’s Office (PVO) advised local government units (LGUs) with low number of animal vaccination to widen their coverage before 2018 ends. (PIA photo)

THE Provincial Veterinarian’s Office (PVO) advised local government units (LGUs) with low number of animal vaccination to widen their coverage before 2018 ends.

A total of 17,067 vials of anti-rabies vaccines were distributed to municipalities this year, said Dr. Darel Tabuada of the PVO.

“One of the issues namon is ang aton nga vaccines ma-expire siya December 2018 so we have to use our vaccines in vaccinating sang aton mga ido and also, to protect ang aton mga ido against rabies,” Tabuada said, emphasizing the need to strengthen the implementation of rabies programs in municipalities.

As of August 2018, the province reported a 64.9 percent or 160,691 dogs vaccinated out of 247,526 total dog population, Tabuada said.

Although the province is around 5% away from the 70% dog vaccination target this year, Tabuada said there are still areas that need to boost their vaccination coverage.

“So far, may ara kita areas nga medyo lower ang vaccination coverage, so amo na lang na ang aton subong nga gina-push para nga ma-reach guid naton ang aton 70% vaccination coverage program,” Tabuada stressed.

Tabuada said the municipality of Alimodian in the second district has only achieved 3% of its vaccination coverage.  This means that only 150 dogs were vaccinated out of 4,621 total dog population in the municipality.

Also, the Rabies Prevention and Control program data showed the municipalities with low vaccination coverage.

These are the municipalities of San Rafael with 26.3 vaccination coverage; Igbaras with 52.4; Estancia with 54.7; and Leganes with 59.8.

According to Tabuada, the low vaccination coverage in some municipalities is believed to be due to “lack of manpower” as they might be preoccupied with other functions and programs.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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