SAN FERNANDO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) 1 urges the public, especially parents and guardians, to support the vaccination campaign against measles and pertussis amid the rise of cases in the country.
During an episode of The Virtual Presser of the Philippine Information Agency Region 1, Medical Officer IV Rheuel Bobis of DOH CHD-1 noted that measles and pertussis may be highly infectious but are vaccine-preventable diseases.
In nature, measles is caused by viral infection while pertussis is transmitted through bacterial infection, both transmitted through respiratory droplets.
Signs of measles include fever, cough, cold, redness of the eyes, and skin rashes while pertussis is characterized by influenza-like symptoms such as mild fever, colds, and cough with whooping sounds.
DOH is providing free vaccines for both measles and pertussis available across rural health units, city health offices, or DOH hospitals in the region.
“We have this intensified routine immunization activity whereas we have established the Bakuna Day Everyday Program,” Bobis said.
He added, “We are now offering the vaccines not only during Wednesdays so do not hesitate to visit our facilities and ask for vaccination.”
DOH had been administering said vaccines for measles and pertussis for a long time, proving that it is effective and safe to use.
Vaccines for measles are given to babies below one year old while shots for pertussis are for eight-month old and above.
Based on surveillance, most of the affected population for measles in the Ilocos Region are within the one to four-year old age group, comprising 42.5 percent of the 40 cases recorded as of March 16.
On the other hand, with the same timeline, the two cases of pertussis in the region are aged one and six years old respectively.
Bobis cited that vaccination remains as the most effective method to prevent individuals from acquiring such diseases thus, avoiding health complications and worse health concerns. (JCR/MJTAB/CGC, PIA Region 1)
