Nationwide measles, polio immunization drive starts

MANILA, Philippines — The government will start today the nationwide immunization campaign against measles, polio and other vaccine-preventable, but potentially deadly diseases.

The measles, rubella-oral polio vaccine supplemental immunization (MR-OPV SIA) will be conducted until Nov. 25 in Bicol, Cagayan Valley, the Cordilleras, Ilocos region, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) and Mindanao, the Department of Health (DOH) said over the weekend.

Mothers and caregivers in identified areas have been urged to take their infants and children under five years old to health centers, barangay health stations or designated temporary vaccination posts in their localities.

“It is important for children to receive additional doses of MR-OPV,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque said.

Duque urged health workers to coordinate with local officials and the communities to ensure that no child will be left unvaccinated.

“We hope our immunization drive will be welcomed by a well-informed public to save more children from preventable disability and death,” Duque said.

Maria Wilda Silva, DOH national immunization program manager, earlier warned that a major outbreak of measles might occur in the coming years if children are not vaccinated.

Data shows there are 2.4 million children under five years old who are susceptible to measles infection.

The country experienced measles outbreak in the past two years, with more than 68,000 children infected and hundreds died from the disease.

In the first half of this year, Silva said the DOH had seen clustering and small peaking of measles cases.

Aside from measles, the DOH recorded 27 polio cases nationwide. Of the figure, 17 developed paralysis or disabilities due to the disease.

The government will launch the second phase of the immunization campaign in February next year in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Quezon), Central Luzon, National Capital Region and the Visayas.

Children from nine to 59 months old will be immunized against measles and rubella, while those aged zero to 59 months will be given oral polio vaccine.