President Duterte has ordered a more intensified immunization campaign for children following the declaration of a measles outbreak in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
Duterte made the order to the Department of Health during the 34th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang Wednesday, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirmed.
In a statement, Panelo said that the DoH’s immunization program was one of the topics tackled during the meeting.
“The President ordered a vigorous campaign to promote the complete immunization for children,” he said yesterday.
Last week, Duterte urged Filipinos, especially parents of newborns, to have their children vaccinated as public trust with immunization plummeted due to the Dengvaxia anti-vaccine mess.
“Do not be complacent about it kasi ang sanggol talaga kailangan. Iyong Dengvaxia lang,” he said.
Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said that from at least 70 percent in the last few years, immunization coverage in 2018 went down to 40 percent.
Dr. Ruby Constantino, DoH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau Director, said 2.4 million children have not received measles, flu, and vaccination for other diseases since some parents fear of another Dengvaxia fiasco. (Argyll Geducos)
