ADVISORY
For : HEADS OF CONSTITUTIONAL BODIES, DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS AND AGENCIES OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, GOVERNMENT-OWNED OR -CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS WITH ORIGINAL CHARTERS, AND STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
SUBJECT : National Vaccination Days for Catch-up Immunization, or the "Chikiting Bakunahan Days"
The National Government is presently conducting the National Vaccination Days for Catch-up Immunization, or the "Chikiting Bakunahan Days" every last Thursdays and Fridays of the month until June 2022.
The Department of Health (DOH) emphasizes on the importance of immunization which is essential to prevent the spread of vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs ). However, due to the current health challenges in our country, vaccination among children has been impeded leaving them vulnerable to VPDs. For CY 2021, the DOH has recorded 45.9% Fully Immunized Child (FIC). Moreover, in the same year, about 1,100,000 zero dose children were also recorded. Hence, the DOH has intensified its efforts through the conduct of Chikiting Bakunahan Days which started on the 28th and 29th of April 2022.
In support of the National Government's Chikiting Bakunahan Days, it is advised that government officials and employees who will be accompanying their children for vaccination during the Chikiting Bakunahan Days may avail of the Special Leave Privileges provided under Section 21, Rule XVI of the Omnibus Rules on Leave, as amended1, which provides in part, thus:
"Sec. 21. Special leave privileges. - In addition to the vacation, sick, maternity and paternity leave, officials and employees with or without existing Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA), except teachers and those covered by special leave laws, are granted the following special leave privileges subject to the conditions hereunder stated:
