DOH-CALABARZON tells to strengthen health of Dengvaxia children

Newly appointed Department of Health (DOH) – CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) Regional Director Eduardo Janairo rec...

Newly appointed Department of Health (DOH) – CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) Regional Director Eduardo Janairo recently advised parents of Dengvaxia Vaccine Individuals (DVIs) to strengthen the immune system of their children through proper nutrition and suitable food supplements.

“We still have no final conclusion as to the status of the Dengvaxia investigation currently being conducted which is being linked to the deaths of children who were given the controversial dengue vaccine. While waiting for results, as parents, we have to do something to boost our children’s immune system by giving them immunity-boosting phytonutrients such as vitamin C, fruits and vegetables, including adequate sleep,” Janairo stated before a crowd of parents of DVIs at a Dengvaxia Forum held in Imus, Cavite on April 8.

“Although the dengue kits distributed included vitamin supplements such as Vitamin C and multivitamins, you still need to complement it with well-balanced meals and sufficient fluid intakes like water, soup and juices,” he emphasized.

CALABARZON is the second region with the most number of DVIs followed by Region 3 with the National Capital Region (NCR) in the top spot. DOH estimated that about a total of 830,000 students were vaccinated with Dengvaxia. According to the Regional Epidemiological Surveillance Unit (RESU), a total of 2,674 schools participated in the Dengvaxia vaccination in CALABARZON. There were 158,520 children who received the first dose; 129,176 received the 2nddose; and 112,659 completed the third dose. A total of 4,261 children received Dengvaxia during community-based vaccinations. Two children were vaccinated by a private clinic.

Janairo disclosed that a total of Php1,602,770.44 Dengvaxia assistance were given to 2,746 DVIs via the Medical Assistance for Indigent Program in public hospitals. A total of Php2,019,407.92 were given to 192 DVIs who were confined in private health facilities.

RESU also reported a total of 5,310 dengue cases in CALABARZON from January 1-March 31, 2018 with the province of Cavite having the most number of cases with 1,937. There were 34 recorded deaths. (Glen S. Ramos, CAMRO, DOH-CALABARZON/PIA-4A)