DOH-7 intensifies 'Chikiting' vaccination amid 100% increase in measles-rubella cases in region
CEBU CITY – The Department of Health-Central Visayas (DOH-7) noted a 100 percent increase in measles-rubella cases in the region.
Dr. Joanne Antonette Albito, Medical Officer 3 of the DOH-7 Family Health Section, said that 67 cases have been recorded in Cebu province from January to April this year.
The number is nearly three times bigger compared to the 24 that was recorded in the same period last year.
In Bohol, 12 cases have been recorded compared to the six recorded in the same period last year.
From five cases in January to April last year, Negros Oriental has already recorded seven during the same period this year.
In the Open Line News Forum on Tuesday, May 9, Albito disclosed that about 100 individuals in Cebu City have manifested measles symptoms but it has not been confirmed yet pending further tests.
With the increasing cases, the DOH-7 is intensifying its supplemental vaccination campaign dubbed as “Chikiting Ligtas.”
The campaign aims to immunize 95 percent of children aged nine to 59 months against measles and rubella and zero to not over five years old for polio.
“The current action right now of the government health officials is to visit every barangays and implement house-to-house immunization in addition to giving the vaccine in health centers,” said Albito.