DOH-7 to conduct anti-measles-rubella drive

CEBU, Philippines - The Center for Health Development Central Visayas will be conducting a month-long door-to-door Measles-Rubella Campaign from April 4 to May 4, this year in the provinces of Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol and Siquijor.

The campaign targets about 1.4 million children (age 9 months to 8 years old) to be vaccinated against measles and German measles (rubella) in Central Visayas and over 18 million others nationwide.

About P600 million has been allocated for the special campaign, called "Iligtas sa Tigdas ang 'Pinas," to buy and distribute vaccines, needles, and syringes, mobilize health workers, and produce communication materials. Specially trained local health workers or vaccination teams will visit houses to immunize eligible children.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona is now urging mothers, fathers, and caregivers to open their doors to the DOH vaccination teams to avail themselves of this free vaccination program, as he pledged that not one child will be left behind from this program. 

DOH aims to reach 95 per cent after the special campaign, expecting to reduce transmission and infection, while strengthening the immunity of Filipino children against the viruses.

The number of confirmed measles cases has significantly increased from 453 in 2007 to 1,418 in 2010. More than 70 percent of these cases were among children who have not been vaccinated against measles. The DOH began the surveillance of German measles in 2009. Since then, 1,654 confirmed cases have been reported, mostly among children below nine years old. Measles outbreaks have been reported in some parts of Luzon and in Mindanao.

According to the DOH data obtained last February 19, a total of 1,308 confirmed cases occurred in 20 provinces. (Ilocos Norte, La Union, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Batangas, Quezon, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Iloilo, Southern Leyte, Samar, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Davao Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, South Cotabato, Agusan Norte and Metro Manila).

Measles, a highly contagious disease can be easily prevented through vaccination. Under the program, vaccines (combined measles-rubella or MR) that will be given during the campaign have combined protection against measles and German measles, which the World Health Organization (WHO) said are safe, effective and inexpensive.

DOH-7 regional director Susana Madarieta is calling on the mayors of Central Visayas to support the campaign, and let their health workers reach out to children and families who usually have no easy access to essential health services.—DOH-PR (FREEMAN)