The Department of Health started a nationwide vaccination yesterday to immunize about nine million children against measles.
The Knock out Tigdas 2007 is a priority program of the Arroyo administration to combat the spread of measles virus in the country.
DOH regional director Susana Madarietta said children aged nine months to fours years in Central Visayas will be given anti-measles vaccine until November 15.
The KOT is a sequel of the 1998 Ligtas Tigdas with an initial catch-up immunization. In February 2004, a follow-up vaccination was conducted.
Madarietta said at least 60 health officials had been dispersed by the DOH to visit every barangay for the month-long activity.
Madarietta said based on their record, there are no reported cases of death caused by the disease.
The DOH is serious in its mission to maintain the zero-incidence of mortality and morbidity caused by measles, she added.
The vaccination will be done on door-to-door basis or in hospitals, health centers, barangay health stations and barangay halls. Aside from giving anti measles vaccine, vitamin A capsule and deworming drugs will also be distributed.
The vaccines and other paraphernalia for the KOT will be provided by the DOH through the Local Government Unit. Local donors will also be tapped to provide other needs such as cotton buds, alcohol, scissors and others.
The government said more than 10,000 vaccination teams will begin a month-long program to immunize children, hoping to eliminate measles by 2008, earlier than the 2012 target set by the World Health Organization.
Yolanda Oliveros, director of the DOH’s National Center for Disease Prevention and Control, was quoted by media saying all health activities will be halted for a month to ensure the success of the program.
Although a safe vaccine has been available since 1963, measles remains a leading cause of childhood preventable death and disability in Asia.
It is estimated that 20,000 to 30,000 deaths a year in the region are due to measles. — Jasmin R. Uy with a report from AFP/LPM