“Let’s stop the blame game and vaccine fearmongering. What we urgently need now is close cooperation between the DOH, DSWD, DILG and even the DepEd in stemming the measles outbreak.”
This was the statement made by Senator Koko Pimentel III as he called on various government agencies to coordinate with one another to ensure that unimmunized children are treated with the measles vaccine in hospitals and health centers, and if need be, roving groups of barangay volunteers be activated to bring assistance directly to homes, communities and schools.
“The extensive network of the DILG, DSWD and DepEd for instance can be activated to assist the DOH in vaccination efforts. If we need to bring immunization to those who need it instead of them coming to hospitals or centers, we should do it. We can better address the problem through concerted government effort,” Pimentel said.
“Our health professionals can do the job of immediately treating the sick. LGUs, school personnel, social workers and community volunteers can do their part in disease prevention.”
“Our health professionals can do the job of immediately treating the sick. LGUs, school personnel, social workers and community volunteers can do their part in disease prevention. This measles outbreak is not just a medical issue because there’s a social and education component to it as well. Parents need to be made aware of the value and necessity of vaccination.”
In January of this year alone, 4,302 cases of measles were reported nationwide, representing a 122 percent increase from the same period in 2018. The current outbreak has been blamed on a backlash against vaccinations brought about by improper use of dengue medicine.
The Health Department has declared a “red alert” measles outbreak in Metro Manila and certain regions in Luzon and parts of the Visayas.
“This measles outbreak is not just a medical issue because there’s a social and education component to it as well.”
Pimentel cited United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) studies pointing to population immunity possibly being achieved if more than 95 percent of the population is vaccinated, but the Philippines only has 55 percent coverage at present.
The Mindanao-born legislator likewise cited figures showing immunization has declined from 88 percent in 2014 to 73 percent in 2017, leaving 2.5 million children under the age of five who are not vaccinated for measles.
“That’s why I’m calling for interagency cooperation. We need various government departments to educate, mobilize people and treat those affected. These tasks cannot be done by a single agency alone,” Pimentel stressed.