Less children get dengue vaccine in Talisay

CEBU, Philippines — Only 5,000 out of 14,000 children listed as beneficiaries in Talisay City have availed of the free dengue vaccine. 

The reason, most children ages 9 to 14 went to rural health centers without the company of their parents.

City health officer Lino Alanzado said parents need to accompany their children to the health centers to get the dengue vaccine. Another reason why only very few received the vaccine is that those who have fever and colds were not given the shots.

The Talisay City government was targeting 14,000 children to be given the free vaccine. It has projected to accomplish at least half of the target but only get an actual accomplishment of 36 percent.

Alanzado said those who were given the vaccine are only students from public schools. The anti-dengue vaccine comes in three dosages with six months intervals.

Those who received the vaccine last August is under observation and will receive the second dose in February 2018.Talisay City is one of the areas in Central Visayas with the highest number of dengue cases. In fact, it ranked fourth and second in the mortality rate.

Cebu City has the most number of cases with 2,403;Lapu-Lapu (1,045), Mandaue City (816) and Talisay City (442.) Cebu City topped in the mortality rate having 31 deaths while Talisay has 11. (FREEMAN)