Measles immunization drive set in NCR, Mindanao

Anti-measles vaccines will be made availalble by the Department of Health (DOH) to infants and children in Metro Manila and Mindanao in a bid to arrest the rising number of measles cases.

The Ligtas Tigdas program under the National Measles Supplemental Immunization Activity (will be held in the National Capital Region (NCR) from April 25 to May 25 and in Mindanao from May 9 to June 8.

"This will involve the administration of measles containing vaccine to infants and children aged 6 to 59 months," the health department said.

The DOH earlier declared a measles outbreak in Negros Oriental, Taguig City, Zamboanga City, and Davao.

"Data from the Epidemiology Bureau (EB) showed that there were 4,168 measles cases reported nationwide from January 01 to March 26, 2018. Out of the 4,168 reported cases, 723 were laboratoryconfirmed measles with a total of 13 deaths," the DOH stated.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III assured that the measles vaccine is safe.

"Adverse reactions following vaccination are generally mild and transient. Slight pain, tenderness, mild swelling and redness at the injection site, mild fever and local adenopathy may usually occur. Severe and systemic reactions following vaccination are rare," said Duque.

“Rest assured that your DOH is deeply committed to protect our children against serious and often fatal vaccine-preventable diseases like measles through provision of vaccination,” Duque added.