PH faces measles, pertussis outbreaks

THE Philippines is grappling with measles outbreaks in the Bangsamoro region and pertussis outbreaks in parts of Luzon and Visayas, with nearly 70% of provinces and cities at high risk for polio.

These highly infectious diseases pose a significant threat to children.

In response to the measles outbreak, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao initiated a Measles Outbreak Response Immunization campaign at the start of April, following the outbreak declaration in mid-March.

Before the campaign, the region had reported over 500 measles cases, already half of the total cases for nearly all of 2023, raising concerns for the region’s future.

The immunization campaign, initially planned for two weeks, was extended but faced challenges including uneven vaccine coverage due to local governance issues.

Health workers, enduring extreme heat from El Niño, conducted house-to-house vaccinations, often encountering vaccine refusals and misconceptions.
With regional parliamentary elections approaching in a year, the health of thousands of Bangsamoro children remains precarious.

Beyond managing the measles outbreak, ensuring routine vaccinations for polio and diphtheria is critical to achieving herd immunity and improving regional health indicators, which lag behind the rest of the country.

“Immunization is crucial for a robust health system. On the 50th anniversary of the Essential Programme of Immunization, we must ensure every child has a chance through vaccination,” Unicef Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov stated.

He urged leaders to visit the hardest-hit communities to understand the challenges faced by families and health workers.

To combat the outbreaks, Unicef is assisting with the emergency procurement of two million measles vaccine doses, deploying immunization coordinators and cold chain managers, engaging community leaders to counter refusals, and providing cold storage facilities to maintain vaccine potency.

The first batch of one million measles vaccines is expected to arrive in the coming weeks, with another million to follow in the coming months.

Unicef calls on national and regional governments to address both supply and demand challenges to end vaccine-preventable diseases among children.

This includes improving vaccine stock predictability, increasing vaccination teams, better supporting and compensating barangay health workers, and preparing the health system for disasters and climate change.

On the demand side, enhancing community engagement and social listening is essential.

Unicef urges collaboration among government entities, community leaders, civil society, the private sector, and parents to ensure every child not only survives but thrives. (CBC)