WHILE there are still some holdouts who deny the efficacy of vaccines, science had established long ago more advantages could be derived from vaccination than the perceived disadvantages and risks. This is the reason behind the World Health Organization’s policy of promoting immunization to combat certain diseases.
The Department of Health (DOH) has scaled up its immunization program to increase the coverage of fully-immunized children (FIC) in the National Capital Region, a move that is aimed at providing children aged 0 to 23 months with protection from tuberculosis, polio, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus-diphtheria.
DOH Regional Director Rio Magpantay said government is committed to catching up and ensuring that every eligible child in Metro Manila receives complete vaccinations.
In the case of dengue, another life-threatening disease which is spread by mosquitoes, health authorities are being assisted by the private sector and local officials in the prevention side of the battle.
‘We earnestly urge parents and guardians of children to bring the kids to the vaccination sites to be immunized, free of charge, as the government is spending money for this activity.’
The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) said it supports the “Oplan Balik-Eskwela” vaccination program. It also said that effective dengue prevention requires a combination of vector control and vaccination efforts. Vector control includes measures to reduce the mosquito population, such as eliminating breeding sites and using insecticides. Meanwhile, vaccination is important in herd immunity enhancement and severe case reduction.
Recent data from the World Health Organization showed a significant rise in global dengue cases, with over 7.6 million cases and more than 3,000 deaths reported in 2024. Latest data from the DOH showed that the number of dengue cases nationwide from Jan. 1 to Oct. 26 has reached 314,785.
The country’s case fatality rate is 0.26 percent, which is lower compared to last year’s 0.34 percent for the same period. The health department said that for every 100 Filipinos diagnosed with dengue, the number of deaths decreased this year compared to last year. This is likely attributed to better health-seeking practices and improved healthcare delivery.
The DOH is working with local government units in the prevention and testing initiatives against dengue. Its initiatives include destruction of mosquito breeding grounds, information dissemination on protection – covering more skin and use of mosquito repellants, and early detection and management of cases. The DOH also provides diagnostic kits and insecticides in hotspot areas.
Awareness and cooperation by the public, especially in Metro Manila, are needed for the Department of Health’s program called “Bakuna BayaniJuan: Big Catch-up Immunization” to succeed. Included in this effort is a campaign to enable parents to receive accurate, science-based information about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
The campaign, which was launched in Caloocan City and will run until December 16, aims to protect 107,995 children against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). As of November 17, the National Immunization Program said, 36,424 Grade 1 students in Metro Manila have received the measles-rubella vaccine, while 37,463 got the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine through the ongoing school-based Immunization drive in Metro Manila.
We earnestly urge parents and guardians of children to bring the kids to the vaccination sites to be immunized, free of charge, as the government is spending money for this activity. Increased vaccine coverage would improve the herd immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases.
