Health workers to launch campaign vs measles, rubella

MANILA, Philippines - On April 14, health workers will go to houses to vaccinate children against measles and rubella.

Homeowners are thus advised to restrain their dogs to keep them from attacking the health workers.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said that in the past vaccination programs, some health workers were bitten by dogs.

“We hope that this would not happen this time so we ask everyone please, do not let your dogs attack our workers,” he said.

Next month, there will be a month-long vaccination program to immunize 18 million children aged nine months to eight years from measles and rubella.

The number of measles cases in the country rose to 1,418 in 2010 from 453 in 2007. The Department of Health (DOH) began the survey of rubella cases in 2009, when the cases numbered 1,645.

“We are serious in this. We do not want one child to be left behind so we ask the public to open your doors to our vaccination teams,” Ona said.

The vaccination campaign complements the routine vaccination implemented in barangay health centers and other government health care facilities the whole year.

Dr. Ed Janairo, director of the DOH’s National Center for Disease Prevention and Control, said the public should avail of the free vaccination because it is more costly to treat measles.

Vaccination against measles and rubella costs only P67 but treatment of infection costs between P500 to P15,000.   

“You have nothing to lose if you submit your child to vaccination. So we urge the public to cooperate when our vaccination teams reach your doors,” Janario said.