DOH: Non-selective immunization drive vs measles in Mindanao

(File photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines— The Department of Health (DOH) is pushing for a non-selective immunization drive in Mindanao following the measles outbreak in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). 

At the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing on Monday, Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag said that children could get immunizations regardless of whether they have received the measles vaccine in the past.

BARMM recently announced a measles outbreak in the region. 

“Ang ginagawa ngayon diyan sa measles outbreak diyan sa Mindanao, ang naging desisyon ay non-selective immunization. Ibig sabihin niyan, regardless kung ikaw ay tumanggap o hindi ng bakuna, babakunahan iyong bata para nang sa ganoon ay mabilisan kasi,” said Tayag. 

(What is being done now in the measles outbreak in Mindanao is the non-selective immunization. That means, regardless if you have received a vaccine, the child could be vaccinated so that it is faster.) 

Tayag said that asking for previous proof of vaccination takes time.

Tayag likewise assured parents that there was no chance that their children would receive too many dosages.  

“Kung nag-aalala kayo na baka sumobra, ma-overdose, wala pong ganoon sa bakuna,” said Tayag. 

(If you are worried that it might be too much, that they will overdose, that won’t happen.)

Children ages six months to 10 years old could get the measles vaccine, said Tayag.