The Department of Health (DOH) has raised the alarm over a 27% increase in measles cases, urging parents to vaccinate their children to curb the outbreak. From Jan. 1 to March 15, the DOH recorded 1,185 cases, up from 930 cases in the same period last year.
The National Capital Region (NCR) has the highest number of cases at 295, followed by Central Luzon (150) and Calabarzon (144). Alarmingly, 802 cases (68%) involve children who have not been vaccinated.
To address the surge, the DOH is ramping up immunization efforts. “Patuloy pa rin ang pagsasagawa ng routine immunization sa lahat ng rehiyon sa bansa para sa mga batang edad 0-12 buwan upang maprotektahan sila laban sa iba’t ibang sakit, kabilang ang tigdas. Sa ilalim nito, ang unang dosis ng bakuna para sa tigdas ay ibinibigay sa ika-9 na buwan, habang ang pangalawang dosis ay sa ika-12 buwan,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa stated.
The department is also intensifying catch-up immunization for children aged 13 to 59 months who missed their routine vaccinations. “Makipag-ugnayan sa pinakamalapit na health center para sa schedule ng pagpapabakuna. Pinakamabisang paraan pa rin ang ligtas at epektibong mga bakuna upang maiwasan ang sakit at komplikasyon nito,” Herbosa added.
Meanwhile, Malacañang has called on the public to support the “Bakunahan sa Purok ni Juan” immunization campaign. According to Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro, the initiative is being implemented in health centers across Caloocan, Quezon City, Taguig, Manila, Mandaluyong, and Las Piñas to prevent further spread of the disease.
