Amid the celebration of World Immunization Week, AnaKalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray T. Reyes believes the Philippines’ vaccination program needs urgent review and said he finds it “unacceptable” that the country faces outbreaks of measles and pertussis.
“It is unacceptable that news of measles and pertussis outbreaks come amid our celebration of World Immunization Week. We call on the Department of Health (DOH) to urgently review our vaccination program. We need to make sure that our kababayans remain protected especially against preventable diseases,” Reyes said.
Children can be protected from pertussis by getting vaccinated with a five-in-one DPT-HepB-HiB vaccine, also called the pentavalent vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus; hepatitis B; and Haemophilus influenzae type B.
According to the DOH, Pertussis cases are still rising and that as of April 13, there have been 1,566 pertussis cases recorded nationwide.
Meanwhile, 1,817 cases of measles were recorded from Jan. 1 to April 13, which is five times higher compared to those reported in the same period last year.
Reyes urged parents to make sure that their children have a complete dose of vaccines needed according to their age.
“Libre po ang bakuna sa ating mga centers. Pertussis and measles are preventable diseases at napakahalaga na mabakunahan ang mga bata laban dito. Kaya hinihimok po natin ang ating mga kababayan na huwag mag-atubiling pabakunahan ang kanilang mga anak,” he added.
He also called on the DOH to continue to fight disinformation campaigns against vaccination.
“Simula po noong pandemya, naging kalat na ang fake news na maraming side effects ang mga bakuna. Nakikiusap po tayo sa ating mga kababayan na huwag maniwala sa mga ito. Hinihimok din natin ang DOH at mga LGU na palawigin ang mga programang nagpapakita sa ating mga kababayan na ligtas at kailangan ang mga bakuna lalo na sa mga bata,” Reyes added.
Children can be protected from pertussis by getting vaccinated with a five-in-one DPT-HepB-HiB vaccine, also called the pentavalent vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus; hepatitis B; and Haemophilus influenzae type B.
Meanwhile, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine may be given subcutaneously to children with a minimum age of 12 months. Two doses of MMR vaccine are recommended with the second dose usually being given when the child reaches four to six years old. However, it may be given at an earlier age with at least a four-week interval after the first dose.
