CEBU, Philippines - Department of Health-Central Visayas Regional Order No. 011, series 2011, dated March 4 read that the Philippines is committed to eliminating measles in 2012, the target year agreed upon with other countries in the Western Pacific Region.
“Despite three mass measles immunization campaigns conducted in 1998, 2004 and 2007, measles cases continue to increase from 2008 up to the present,” the directive signed by DOH-7 regional director Dr. Susana Madarieta further read.
“Low routine immunization coverage resulted in accumulation of unimmunized susceptible infants over the years, thus measles outbreaks were noted in different areas of the Philippines,” it went.
“Laboratory confirmed measles cases continued to be reported all over the country which indicates uninterrupted circulation of measles virus transmission contributing to illness and deaths among children.”
It was also noted that mass measles immunization campaigns provide a “second opportunity” to “catch missed children” and that this is a critical action to interrupt the continuing circulation of the measles virus in the country.
So, through a national Measles-Rubella (MR) Campaign dubbed “Iligtas sa Tigdas ang Pinas” to be conducted from April 4 to May 4, DOH seeks to ensure Central Visayas will be able to achieve 95-percent target of an estimated 1.4 million children here (with Siquijor having had the most number of cases, please see graph).
Approach
“Iligtas sa Tigdas ang Pinas”, a measles supplemental immunization activity (SIA) for a measles-free Philippines, is to utilize a 10-dose vial of measles-rubella vaccine to be administered at 0.5 ml subcutaneously on left upper arm of eligible children. Strategy would be strictly door-to-door, so parents/guardians are encouraged to open their “doors” to health officials and barangay health workers.
Houses, condominiums, apartments, tenements, orphanages, half-way homes as well as non-conventional homes like under the bridge, parks, cemeteries, tents, carts, old vehicles/trans/motorboats; abandoned buildings, under the trees, and islands in the middle of the streets are considered as “doors” in this campaign.
The objectives are to reduce the number or pool of children at risk of getting measles or being susceptible to measles, and to achieve at least 95 percent MR immunization coverage of all children nine to 95 months old (below eight years old).