DOH to boost measles immunization activities following spike in cases

Facade of the DOH main office in Manila. INQUIRER.net file photo

MANILA, Philippines — After a backlog of measles immunization due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Health (DOH) is eyeing more vaccinations, according to health officer-in-charge (OIC) Maria Rosario Vergeire on Tuesday.

The decision came after a 541 percent spike in measles and rubella cases in the first two months of 2023.

READ: DOH: Measles, rubella cases rise by 541% 

“Magkakaroon tayo ng supplemental immunization activity, in order for us to address this situation, sa May po tayo mag-uumpisa,” said Vergeire in a media forum.

(We will have a supplemental immunization activity in order for us to address this situation, we will start in May.)

According to Vergeire, the measles vaccination gap stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic. This has left more children susceptible to measles.

“Itong missed children, babalikan natin sila sa kanilang bahay para mabakunahan natin silang lahat, hindi lang yung may schedule, maari na rin nating bakunahan yung mga batang nakamiss ng kanilang dose last year or the previous year, babalikan natin sila lahat, para lahat protektado against measles,” said Vergeire.

(These missed children, we will return to their houses so we can vaccinate all of them, even those without a schedule, we can go back to them to vaccinate the kids who missed their dose last year or the previous year, we will go back to them all so that everyone is protected against measles).

While the DOH OIC has yet to provide exactly how many children the department plans to vaccinate, they plan to vaccinate those who are two to four years old.

Measles, according to Vergeire, is transmissible by the air. An outbreak is possible, and children are among those most susceptible to it.

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