Manila: The Department of Health on Tuesday launched a catch-up vaccination drive to increase the fully-immunized children (FIC) coverage in the National Capital Region (NCR). Called 'Bakuna BayaniJuan: Big Catch-up Immunization', the campaign targets children aged 0 to 23 months who have missed doses of vital jabs such as Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Vaccine for tuberculosis, bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine, Pentavalent, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, and Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine. According to Philippines News Agency, DOH Regional Director Rio Magpantay highlighted the importance of other vaccines, including those for hepatitis B and measles, mumps, and rubella. Magpantay emphasized the department's commitment to ensuring every eligible child in Metro Manila receives complete vaccinations. He acknowledged parental concerns regarding vaccine safety amid misinformation and stressed the campaign's focus on providing accurate, science-based information. Magpantay encouraged parents and guardians to bring their children to vaccination sites. Increasing vaccine coverage is expected to improve herd immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) in NCR. The campaign, launched in Caloocan City, aims to protect approximately 107,995 children against VPDs by December 16, 2024. As of November 17, the National Immunization Program reported administering the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine and 37,463 Tetanus-Diphtheria (TD) vaccines to Grade 1 students through the ongoing School-Based Immunization drive in NCR. For Grade 7 students, 24,017 received the MR vaccine, and 24,003 received the TD vaccine. Additionally, about 18,635 Grade 4 female students received their human papilloma virus vaccine. The initiative also includes administering the TD vaccine to pregnant women and necessary immunizations for adults aged 60 years and above.