COTABATO CITY (PIA) -- The Bangsamoro government, through the Ministry of Health (MOH), launched a 21-day measles vaccination program on April 1 after declaring an outbreak in the region on March 21.

According to Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas, MOH Deputy Minister, the initiative aims to ensure that many children will have access to measles vaccinations in order to protect them from the infectious disease.

“In response to the growing threat of the outbreak, MOH will undertake an expansion of vaccination activities in Bangsamoro communities to ensure a larger proportion of the Bangsamoro children are vaccinated against measles," he said.

Abas also said that the ministry will conduct a non-selective measles vaccination drive for children ages six months to 10 years old, regardless of their vaccination status.

“‘Yung ating gagawin na measles response outbreak ay blanket immunization. Ibig sabihin lahat po ng bata 6 months to 10 years old, whether nabakunahan last year ay babakunahan pa rin ulit during may ganitong outbreak response immunization. 28 days lang yung titingnan, after 28 days, noong last siya nabigyan ng bakuna ay pwedeng na siyang bakunahan ulit,” he explained.

[We will implement blanket immunization as part of our response to the measles outbreak. This applies to all kids between the ages of six months and 10 years old, regardless of whether they received vaccinations the previous year or not. For those who recently had their vaccination, we will consider the 28-day window period after their previous vaccination before they will again receive the shot.]

Based on the data from MOH-BARMM, as of January 1 to March 20, 2024, the ministry has recorded a total of 592 measles cases in the Bangsamoro region, with 521 unvaccinated and 71 vaccinated.

About 220, or 37 percent, of them came from Lanao del Sur, followed by Maguindanao del Norte with 148 cases; Sulu with 91; Marawi with 80; Maguindanao del Sur and the Special Geographic Area with 11; Basilan with nine; Cotabato City with four; and Tawi-Tawi with three. The MOH also recorded two deaths from Lanao del Sur and one from Sulu.

Measles is a serious and dangerous virus that can spread rapidly. It can affect anyone but is most common in children and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death, Abas emphasized.

“Usually after papasok ang virus sa katawan, usually 10 days to two weeks yung sintomas. Kabilang sa mga sintomas ay sisipunin yung bata, magkaroon ng ubo, at pwede pong magkaroon ng pamumula ng mata,” he furher conveyed.

[Usually, after the virus enters the body, symptoms appear 10 days to two weeks later. Among the symptoms, the child will catch a cold, have a cough, and may have red eyes.]

Moreover, the MOH has also sought the help of Muslim religious leaders in the region to help the government in its campaign to encourage Bangsamoro parents to have their children vaccinated against measles.

“May mga ongoing partnership tayo and collaboration sa Darul Iftah, WHO, UNICEF, at iba pang local and international organizations para matulungan tayo na labanan ang measles,” said Dr. Tato Usman, OIC director general of MOH.

[We have ongoing partnerships and collaborations with Darul Iftah, WHO, UNICEF, and other local and international organizations to help us fight measles.]

The MOH also reiterated to the Bangsamoro constituents that the measles vaccine is "halal" (lawful or permitted), aside from being a safe and proven method to prevent the disease and its serious complications. (LTB - PIA Cotabato City)