Dengvaxia scare: Anti-measles vaccination coverage drops

MANILA, Philippines — The anti-measles vaccination coverage of the Department of Health (DOH) has dropped amid the Dengvaxia controversy, an official said yesterday.

“Many parents do not want their children vaccinated... It remains as the number one reason for the low coverage in our catch-up vaccination,” DOH Undersecretary Enrique Domingo told a press briefing.

Domingo said it now takes longer for health workers to convince parents to have their children vaccinated against measles.

“This is... sad because we know what vaccination can do to prevent children from contracting measles,” he said.

The DOH launched the National Ligtas Tigdas supplemental immunization activity in Metro Manila and Mindanao, from April 25 to May 24 and May 9 to June 8, respectively. The areas recorded measles outbreaks.

Domingo said only 24.24 percent of the target 1,408,845 children received anti-measles shots in Metro Manila and 68.98 percent of the 2,796,673 target beneficiaries in Mindanao.

“The program was extended because our health workers need more time to talk to parents. We reiterate our appeal to the public... not to let their children miss out on this life-saving prevention against measles,” Domingo said.