DOH immunization vs. measles, polio goes nationwide on Oct. 26
The nationwide supplemental immunization program against measles and polio will begin on October 26, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday.
Children aged nine to 59 months old will be given Measles - Rubella vaccine, while those zero to 59 months old will be provided with oral Polio vaccine, the DOH said.
The immunization activity will be conducted in two phases. Phase I will be rolled out from October 26 to November 25 in Mindanao regions, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, MIMAROPA Region, and Bicol Region, the DOH said.
The program’s Phase II will be conducted in February 2021 in Visayas Regions, National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON, it added.
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, a high-quality immunization activity is urgently needed to avert a possible measles outbreak in 2021 and halt the ongoing polio recirculation in communities,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
DOH National Immunization Program Manager Dr. Wilda Silva said that they will not adopt the strategy of door-to-door immunization, saying that the vaccinees should go to “fixed or modified posts.”
“Ang atin pong stratehiyang gagamitin ngayon ay fixed post or the modified. Fixed post, ibig sabihin sa lahat po ng health facilities---health centers, barangay health stations, sa ating mga ospital, lying-in clinics, yun po yung mga fixed sites natin ,” said Silva.
“Another strategy that we will be employing is the modified site---yung ating mga mobile teams ay magse-set up ng temporary posts sa mga strategic locations for example, sa barangay halls natin, o kaya sa isang open area--basketball court or gym ,” she added.
The Health officials urged parents to let their children be vaccinated.
“We encourage parents and caregivers to have their children immunized. The measles, rubella and polio vaccines are safe, effective and free,” said Duque.
“Sana po tuluyan ng bumalik ang kanilang tiwala--- their trust in the DOH vaccination program dahil ayaw natin yung nangyari nung 2018 and 2019 na nagkaroon tayo ng mahigit na 600 na bata na under five years old na namatay dahil sa tigdas ,” said Silva.
The DOH said that measles can cause high-grade fever, rashes, cough, eye infection and can lead to complications such as pneumonia, ear infection, blindness, severe diarrhea, and swelling of the brain. Polio, on the other hand, is a potentially debilitating disease that causes fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness and can eventually lead to lifelong paralysis, it added.