DOH: More vaccines on its way
The Department of Health (DOH) has assured the public that more vaccines for pertussis and measles are on its way.
The agency said it has constant communication with the various local government units in the country to monitor the cases.
Upon the orders of President Marcos Jr., DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and a team of DOH officials are in the field to coordinate with local Public Health Emergency Operations Centers (PHEOCs).
DOH thru its Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (RESUs) at the DOH Centers for Health Development is also in touch with local officials.
Along with this, DOH is expecting updated pertussis and measles data to be available in the next few days. This data is expected to guide them in its nationwide response.
DOH thanked the media for its timely coverage on the rise of pertussis or whooping cough and measles cases in the country. Accurate and responsible reporting has drawn attention to the need to catch up with vaccination after the pandemic especially that these are vaccine preventable diseases.
At the moment, DOH is asking for the public's patience with information releases for security reasons and to minimize disruption while the outbreak response is being carried out. DOH also said the public may carry on with daily activities. Face mask use continues to be voluntary but highly encouraged.
Those who are having cough are also advised to cover their mouth with one elbow when coughing and choose well-ventilated areas. DOH also stressed that the best solution is vaccination.
Should there be any symptoms or health concerns, it is advisable to consult a doctor or the nearest health center. Aside from that, DOH’s Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, in coordination with the Procurement Service, is also expecting additional vaccine doses.
Currently, DOH is expecting three million more 'pentavalent' vaccine doses arriving at the soonest possible time. These pentavalent vaccines protect against pertussis, as well as against diphtheria, tetanus, Hepatitis B, and Hemophilus influenza type B.
DOH also ordered at least 5 million more MeaslesRubella vaccine doses in addition to what is available on hand. Of this quantity, Herbosa has instructed to fast-track the immediate dispatch of one million doses that may be delivered as soon as possible. These will add to the more than 64,400 and 2.6 million doses of pentavalent and Measles-Rubella vaccines, respectively, already being distributed by DOH and used to protect the Filipino children.