by Saul Pa-a August 3, 2019 SCHOOL-BASED VACCINATION. Health Undersecretary Enrique Domingo administers the ceremonial measles vaccina...
August 3, 2019
STA. ROSA CITY, Laguna - The Department of Health (DOH) re-launched on Thursday the school-based mass immunization or “Back to Bakuna” program to an initial 100 of the targeted 3,047 pupils here.
DOH Undersecretary Enrique Domingo graced the launch at the Central III Elementary School, where he led the ceremonial anti-measles vaccination to five of the 100 Kindergarten to Grade 7 school children.
He said the DOH already embarked on the massive immunization of one to five-year-old children last month in various rural health centers, as well as during the house-to-house vaccination campaign.
“Itong mga bakuna natin (Our vaccines) are not just new but tried and tested vaccines and effective for even up to 30 to 40 years (old),” Domingo said during a press conference, adding these types of vaccines have already saved millions of lives worldwide.
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Domingo said the DOH is intensifying its year-round vaccination program, not only against measles, but also for rubella, polio, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus, hepatitis, tuberculosis and pneumonia.
He advised the school management to have the pupils injected with booster shots for measles so they could be protected until high school years, as immunization is the most effective and safest to avoid diseases and stay healthy.
He noted the public’s confidence in other vaccines soared back to almost 90 percent in June this year compared to last year’s 20 to 30 percent.
“Nagbalik-loob na ang ating mga kababayan sa paninawala ng importansiya ng pagbabakuna (We have regained the trust of our countrymen as they recognized the importance of immunization),” Domingo said, noting parents are more worried if their children get sick than to have them vaccinated.
Domingo also said measles cases rose in the first four months of the year, reaching about 2,000 nationwide every week.
“But by May, a decline was noted until last month when the figure was down to some 200 to 300 cases a week and the peak on measles outbreak has ended,” he added.
But despite the decline in measles cases, Domingo said health authorities are still vigilant because they want to sustain the community motivation and confidence after the successful community-based immunization program.
“DOH is not about to declare the end of the measles outbreak until we achieve the zero case within 45 days. This means there’s no active transmission of the virus in the community. But we are not declaring that the measles outbreak has dissipated,” he added.
He also cited the Sta. Rosa City government as among the first to achieve the zero measles case amid the local government’s motivation of its constituents on the importance of immunization. (PNA)
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| SCHOOL-BASED VACCINATION. Health Undersecretary Enrique Domingo administers the ceremonial measles vaccination to an elementary school student during the launching Thursday (July 25, 2019) of the "Back to Bakuna: School-Based Immunization Program for Calabarzon,” assisted by City Mayor Arlene Arcillas (standing behind the child’s parent) and DOH Calabarzon Regional Director Dr. Eduardo Janairo (sporting a vest), along with City Health Office Nurse and program coordinator Joemer Salamat (far left to right), Calabarzon Family Health Unit Head Dr. Felices Emerita Perez, and Laguna Provincial Health Team Leader Dr. Gigi Janairo (center), at Sta. Rosa City Central III Elementary School Central covered court. The DOH targets to immunize 3,047 pupils in the school. (PNA photo by Saul E. Pa-a) |
STA. ROSA CITY, Laguna - The Department of Health (DOH) re-launched on Thursday the school-based mass immunization or “Back to Bakuna” program to an initial 100 of the targeted 3,047 pupils here.
DOH Undersecretary Enrique Domingo graced the launch at the Central III Elementary School, where he led the ceremonial anti-measles vaccination to five of the 100 Kindergarten to Grade 7 school children.
He said the DOH already embarked on the massive immunization of one to five-year-old children last month in various rural health centers, as well as during the house-to-house vaccination campaign.
“Itong mga bakuna natin (Our vaccines) are not just new but tried and tested vaccines and effective for even up to 30 to 40 years (old),” Domingo said during a press conference, adding these types of vaccines have already saved millions of lives worldwide.
Domingo said the DOH is intensifying its year-round vaccination program, not only against measles, but also for rubella, polio, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus, hepatitis, tuberculosis and pneumonia.
He advised the school management to have the pupils injected with booster shots for measles so they could be protected until high school years, as immunization is the most effective and safest to avoid diseases and stay healthy.
He noted the public’s confidence in other vaccines soared back to almost 90 percent in June this year compared to last year’s 20 to 30 percent.
“Nagbalik-loob na ang ating mga kababayan sa paninawala ng importansiya ng pagbabakuna (We have regained the trust of our countrymen as they recognized the importance of immunization),” Domingo said, noting parents are more worried if their children get sick than to have them vaccinated.
Domingo also said measles cases rose in the first four months of the year, reaching about 2,000 nationwide every week.
“But by May, a decline was noted until last month when the figure was down to some 200 to 300 cases a week and the peak on measles outbreak has ended,” he added.
But despite the decline in measles cases, Domingo said health authorities are still vigilant because they want to sustain the community motivation and confidence after the successful community-based immunization program.
“DOH is not about to declare the end of the measles outbreak until we achieve the zero case within 45 days. This means there’s no active transmission of the virus in the community. But we are not declaring that the measles outbreak has dissipated,” he added.
He also cited the Sta. Rosa City government as among the first to achieve the zero measles case amid the local government’s motivation of its constituents on the importance of immunization. (PNA)
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