DOH falls short of vaccination target

MANILA, Philippines - Two weeks into the immunization campaign, the Department of Health (DOH) fell slightly short of achieving its vaccination goal of covering 50 percent of three million targeted children.

In a press briefing, DOH Undersecretary Janette Garin said the overall immunization rate of the month-long “Ligtas sa Tigdas” campaign had reached 44 percent.

The goal is to vaccinate 95 percent of the target children to create “herd immunity” to prevent future cases.

“We are thanking the tri-media and the local government units for supporting us but still, we need to be more aggressive now that we have already started it. On the second week, supposedly our target was 50-percent coverage or 25 percent per week. Our nationwide coverage is 44 percent,” she said.

DOH data showed that at 19 and 18 percent coverage for measles/rubella and polio, respectively, Manila had the lowest accomplishment rate among five cities in Metro Manila.

For measles/rubella, next was Muntinlupa and Makati cities with 26 percent, followed by Pasay City with 27 percent and Malabon City, 34 percent.

Manila was followed by Makati with 23 percent; Muntinlupa, 26 percent, Pasay City, 27 percent and Malabon City with 32 percent when it comes to polio.

“We still have two weeks that require more aggressiveness, especially in the city of Manila where we launched this campaign. One of the problems in Manila is the harbor, through which people come during calamity or when they migrate. It is congested so the more it needs protection,” Garin said.

The localities in Metro Manila that topped the immunization rates for measles/rubella are San Juan (62 percent); Navotas City (53 percent); Caloocan City (49 percent); and Las Piñas and Valenzuela cities, both with 47 percent.

San Juan also led in the oral polio vaccination with 60 percent; followed by Las Piñas (59 percent); Caloocan City and Navotas City (both 49 percent) and Pateros (47 percent).

The DOH has targeted some 13 million children at birth up to below five years to have vaccination against polio and 11 million children aged nine months to below five years against measles and rubella.

Garin said these children could be vaccinated regardless of past immunizations.

She, however, maintained that the turnout in subdivisions and condominium areas was low.

“What will be the problem with regard to that? The problem is that those who are well off have money to spend but they (each child from this family) can infect 17 others who cannot pay for their hospitalization,” she said.

DOH data showed the top 10 provinces that have immunized their population against measles by 54 percent to 64 percent are Batanes, Bataan, Cagayan, Davao Oriental, Biliran, Zambales, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Ifugao and Ilocos Sur.

The top 10 provinces that posted a 53 to 68 percent coverage for polio are Batanes, Biliran, Bataan, Davao Oriental, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Zambales, Apayao, Ifugao, and Quezon.

However, Garin said there are 20 provinces still needing to catch up in their measles and polio immunization campaign.

These are Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Mindoro Oriental, Palawan, Dinagat Island, Bohol, Camarines Norte, Leyte, Ilocos Norte, Catanduanes, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Surigao del Norte, Aklan, Surigao del Sur, Cebu, Siquijor, La Union and Albay.

Garin said among the reasons for the low vaccination turnout are “the eligible child is sick, the child has been vaccinated four weeks prior to the start of the campaign, religious or cultural beliefs, some mothers are consulting a private pediatrician, and delay in reporting.”

“We encourage other areas to double their efforts to catch up on other cities/provinces as there is still time to reach their goals before the month ends. There is still enough time to reach our goals – to vaccinate 95 percent of the children,” she said.