By Priam Nepomuceno/PNA
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through its medical units, is more than ready to help the Department of Health (DOH) in administering measles vaccines to stem the outbreak of the deadly disease.
“The AFP is always ready to provide assistance should the Department of Health seek its help in facilitating the nationwide mandatory measles vaccination,” AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato told the Philippine News Agency Monday night.
“Barangay and municipal health teams have always had close coordination with the AFP’s line units. There is an established mechanism on the ground if ever they will need support from the military,” Detoyato added.
The DOH Epidemiology Bureau (EB) reported a total of 4,302 measles cases with 70 deaths from January 1 to February 9 this year.
Ages of cases ranged from one month up to 75 years old. Children from one to four years old make up 34 percent of the total cases.
It is followed by children who are less than nine months with 27 percent rate.
The DOH EB said 66 percent of the total cases had no history of vaccination against measles while 79 percent of those who died had no history of vaccination.
