Go to parents: Support vaccination drive

MANILA, Philippines — To protect children from diseases, Sen. Bong Go has urged parents to support and cooperate with the government’s vaccination program.

This comes amid reports of increasing measles cases in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), as well as pertussis outbreaks in the National Capital Region, including Taguig and Quezon City, and other parts of the country like Iloilo City.

“Protecting our children’s health is a shared responsibility. I urge all parents to support the vaccination initiatives of our government,” said Go, chair of the Senate committee on health and demography.

“By ensuring that our children get vaccinated on time, we can protect them from serious diseases like measles and pertussis,” he added.

Republic Act No. 10152 or the “Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act of 2011” mandates routine immunization services for infants and children up to five years old, targeting diseases including pertussis and measles, among others.

Go also addressed concerns about vaccine hesitancy among parents, attributing it to misconceptions and fears of adverse effects.

“Let us trust our health experts and not allow fear to hinder our fight against these preventable diseases. We must prioritize the health and safety of our children,” he asserted.

The Department of Health (DOH) has launched a non-selective immunization drive in Mindanao in response to the measles outbreak in BARMM, aiming to vaccinate children in the affected areas without the need for vaccination history verification. This measure seeks to expedite the immunization process and control the outbreak more efficiently.

Undersecretary Eric Tayag reassured parents that the vaccine is safe, with no risk of overdose, for children aged six months to 10 years.

Moreover, the DOH has reported a resurgence of measles and pertussis cases nationwide, with over 2,600 measles cases and more than 453 cases of pertussis, including 35 deaths, in the first 10 weeks of the year.

Amid challenges, such as the delayed arrival of pertussis vaccines and the necessity of emergency purchases by local governments, the DOH raised alarm about the possible spread of pertussis infections to neighboring areas. It called for increased vigilance and the prompt reporting of any cases that may indicate the presence of the disease.

Meanwhile, Go emphasized the importance of utilizing Malasakit Centers for those affected and requiring medical assistance, highlighting these centers as a critical resource for Filipino families in need of medical care.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program to streamline access to medical assistance programs of various agencies for Filipinos, particularly poor and indigent patients in public hospitals.

Currently, there are 161 Malasakit Centers operating nationwide, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The DOH reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 10 million Filipinos.

With a goal to further strengthen the health system, the senator filed Senate Bill No. 195 or the creation of a Center for Disease Control (CDC).

If passed into law, the CDC will serve as the country’s central hub for disease prevention, surveillance and control, focusing on both infectious and non-communicable diseases.

Another key legislative measure from Go is SBN 196, which seeks to establish a Virology Science and Technology Institute. If enacted into law, the institute is envisioned as a center for virology that will enhance the country’s capacity to study, detect and combat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and eventually develop its own vaccines.

Earlier, Go reiterated his appeal for Filipinos to voluntarily wear masks, especially in public places.

“Just like I always say, if it’s not a hindrance to you, always wear masks to protect yourself and your family.”

Go also stressed the significance of learning from past public health challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, in dealing with current outbreaks.

“It’s one of the lessons learned during the pandemic, it is important to have proper knowledge, precaution and cooperation from everyone. Let us continue to vaccinate and follow the recommendations from health care experts,” he said.