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The Department of Health, together with the Local Government Units, will carry out a supplementary immunization activity against measles, rubella and polio at the national level starting on October 26 of this year.
In the Philippines, an estimated 2.4 million children under the age of five are susceptible to measles. Measles or tigdas is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. About 9 out of 10 people exposed to the measles virus who are not immune will get the disease. It can cause high fever, rash, 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, stiff neck, muscle weakness, and can eventually lead to lifelong paralysis. There is an ongoing outbreak of polio with reported cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance and the presence of environmental specimens containing poliovirus. If they are serious enough, both diseases can eventually lead to death. There is no specific treatment for these diseases. The only reliable protection is vaccination.
The National Measles and Rubella Activity – Oral Supplemental Polio Vaccine (MR-OPV SIA) will be implemented in two phases. Phase 1 will take place from October 26 to November 25, 2020 in the Regions of Mindanao, Administrative Region of Cordillera (CAR), Region of Ilocos, Region of Valle de Cagayán, Region of MIMAROPA and Region of Bicol.
Phase 2 will take place in February 2021 in the Visayas, National Capital Region, Central Luzon and CALABARZON Regions. Children ages 9 to 59 months will receive the measles and rubella vaccine, while children ages 0 to 59 months will receive the oral polio vaccine.
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, high-quality immunization activity is urgently needed to prevent a potential measles outbreak in 2021 and stop the recirculation of polio in communities. We encourage parents and caregivers to vaccinate their children, ”said Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, emphasizing that vaccines against measles, rubella and polio are safe, effective and free.
To be protected against COVID-19 infections, the Chief of Health assured that all health workers have been trained in infection prevention and control and have been provided with Personal Protective Equipment.
“Vaccines save lives and prevent disability from disease. Vaccines give our children a good start in life so they can become healthy and productive adults in the future. Therefore, no child should be left behind, ”Sec Duque said.
