MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) is expecting additional doses of vaccines against pertussis that is expected to arrive in the Philippines by June this year, according to Health Undersecretary and spokesman Dr. Eric Tayag.

“Ang nasa inventory namin ay nakapagbigay ang DOH sa Quezon City ng 1,500 doses at ito ay magagamit nila. At habang hihinintay iyong bagong supply na baka sa June pa dumating ay mayroon tayong mga antibiotics para kung hindi maiwasan ang pagkahawa, may maibibigay na gamot,” Tayag said.

Tayag made the remarks in a weekly news forum in Quezon City on Saturday where he was asked if how many doses, in terms of percentage, of vaccine against pertussis are available in the Philippines, and if when are they expected to arrive in the country.

He explained the DOH is now doing quick procurement of 5-in-1 vaccines for pertussis, or popularly known as whooping cough after some cases were already reported in Quezon City – which has already declared an outbreak – Calabarzon and the Visayas region.

Once procured, Tayag said they will immediately distribute the vaccines to the affected areas in the country. (PND)