Palace cool on mandatory vaccination amid measles outbreak

MANILA, Philippines—Despite the measles outbreak in Metro Manila and other regions, Malacañang said it is not keen on employing mandatory vaccination for infants against the disease.

In a Palace briefing on Friday, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said government just need to step up its information drive to counter the spread of the highly-communicable disease.

“Hindi naman siguro kelangan ‘yan [mandatory vaccination]. I think, baka maquestion pa ‘yan sa korte somehow.  So I think all we need to do is to step up the drive. The Department of Health (DOH) has stepped up its drive and involved the local government units,” Nograles said.

The Department of Health on Wednesday confirmed the outbreak of measles in the National Capital Region (NCR). The scope of the outbreak has been expanded to cover Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas on Thursday.

READ: Measles outbreaks in 4 more regions

Cases of measles, locally known as “tigdas,” in the NCR rose by 550 percent from January 1 to February 6 as compared to the same period last year, said Health Secretary Francisco Duque.

Nograles said President Rodrigo Duterte had ordered the active involvement of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) in the information drive to increase the rate of vaccination.

The President also ordered the DOH to utilize a “vigorous campaign” to promote the complete immunization for children.  /muf

READ: Duterte orders ‘vigorous campaign’ for immunization amid measles outbreak