Senator Pia Cayetano urged mothers to heed the advice of medical professionals and health workers on the importance of immunizing their children against vaccine-preventable diseases.
At the same time, Cayetano urged parents to ignore “fake news”, including baseless claims against immunization that are posted by dubious sources on social media.
The veteran legislator is the principal sponsor in the Senate of the landmark Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act of 2011, or Republic Act No.10152.
“When I visit communities and speak with mothers, I raise important topics like vaccination for their children,” said the seasoned lawmaker, who met with various groups in Tagbilaran City recently.
The groups included mothers, barangay health workers, and barangay nutrition scholars.
“Cases of measles in our country are on the rise.”
“It was on the news just the other day that cases of measles in our country are on the rise,” the lady senator noted, citing a report from the health department over the weekend that measles cases have increased by 339 percent as of May 20 this year.
“And it breaks my heart whenever I hear about children dying of measles,” she shared, while adding that these deaths could be prevented with routine vaccination.
“That’s why I always share my story to fellow mothers that I have also lost a child. My child had Trisomy 13. It’s very rare and no medical intervention can save the life of a child with this condition. But for measles and polio, there are medical interventions that can save a life, right?” Cayetano explained.
“So that’s my message to the mothers. Don’t pay attention to [negative claims against vaccination] on TikTok. Mga fake news ‘yan!” she added.
“It’s heartbreaking to lose a child. I’ve lost a child.”
“Listen to the doctors and the health workers to know what’s best for your children. It’s heartbreaking to lose a child. I’ve lost a child. So that has always been my message and it hasn’t changed. Basic ‘yan: immunization,” she concluded.
