The Department of Health (DOH) is set to conduct a nationwide vaccination program against measles to prevent a possible outbreak next year.
“All provinces and almost all cities are high risk for measles. That’s why we are planning to do a campaign in 2020 and 2021. Of course, we also have to take into consideration the COVID transmission,” DOH National Immunization Program Manager Dr. Wilda Silva said.
The first phase of Measles Rubella-Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization will be conducted this coming October 26 to November 25 in Mindanao, CAR, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, Mimaropa, and Bicol Region. The second phase will be performed on February 2021 in Visayas, NCR, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.
The last reported measles outbreak in the country took place in 2014 and spread again in 2018 to 2019. The Philippines was then considered as top exporter of the disease.
Authorities explained that measles cases declined this year due to the lockdown. However, active case finding and specimen collection were also limited.
“The measles outbreak in 2018 and 2019, kung saan nagkaroon tayo ng more than 100 percent coverage sa ating nabakunahan, nag-exceed tayo sa target and this brought down the measles incidence very low (The measles outbreak in 2018 and 2019 where we exceeded 100-percent vaccine coverage brought down the measles incidence very low),” Silva said.
The DOH disclosed that an estimated 2.4 million children nationwide are vulnerable to measles.
Studies show that nine out of 10 individuals exposed to the measles virus will contract the disease, especially if not vaccinated. Measles symptoms include high-grade fever, rashes, cough, and eye infection. It could also cause complications such as pneumonia, ear infection, blindness, severe diarrhea, and swelling of the brain. The DOH is urging parents and guardians anew to have their children vaccinated.
Report from Mark Fetalco
