Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 7) — The Department of Health (DOH) is launching its nationwide measles, rubella, and polio supplemental immunization activity starting Oct. 26.
It urged the public to participate in the free vaccination program to avert a possible measles outbreak in 2021 and halt the ongoing polio recirculation in communities.
Under the nationwide Measles Rubella – Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-OPV SIA), children from 9 to 59 months old will be given measles-rubella vaccine, while 0-59 months old will be provided with oral polio vaccine.
The first phase of the activity will be held from Oct. 26 to Nov. 25 in Mindanao Regions, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, MIMAROPA Region, and Bicol Region.
The second phase is tentatively set in February 2021 in Visayas Regions, National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.
DOH National Immunization Program Manager Wilda Silva on Wednesday said there will be no door-to-door immunization, but guardians can have children vaccinated in health centers, hospitals, or temporary facilities that will be set up.
She added that the minimum health standards followed to stop COVID-19 transmission, such as constant hand washing and wearing of masks, helped in decreasing the transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases. From 48,525 measles cases with 642 deaths in 2019, there are only 3,557 cases with 36 deaths this year.
The health official stressed that immunization is still important.
“Kailangan pa rin ng pagbabakuna, hindi tayo makikipagsapalaran,” she said in a DOH media forum.
[Translation: It’s still important to be vaccinated, we will not take the risk.]
An estimated 2.4 million Filipino children under the age of five are susceptible for measles.
Measles or “tigdas” is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. It can cause high-grade fever, rashes, cough, eye infection and can lead to complications such as pneumonia, ear infection, blindness, severe diarrhea, and swelling of the brain.
Polio, on the other hand, is a potentially debilitating disease that causes fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness and can eventually lead to lifelong paralysis. There is no treatment for this illness, but the only reliable protection is through vaccination.
