DOH to adults: Get vaccinated against whooping cough

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said adults who were not vaccinated against pertussis or whooping cough as children should get the 5-in-1 vaccine.

“Mayroon silang recommendations—yung experts na magbigay ng vaccine sa adult lalo na kung exposed sa family (They have recommendations, the experts will administer vaccines to adults, especially if they are exposed to family),” he said in an interview on the sidelines of the Department of Health (DOH) press conference on Thursday, April 11.

Herbosa highlighted the availability of the Tdap vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough, and a newly formulated vaccine tailored for adults.

“For example, if a child has whooping cough, the adult can have that booster shot,” he said. “I recommend that it can be obtained from the private sector because we don't readily buy vaccines. It needs to go through the national immunization technical advisory group.”

Herbosa reassured the public that the Tdap vaccine holds certification of product registration (CPR) and is readily available commercially, simplifying the process for adults seeking vaccination.

Regarding concerns about double vaccination, Herbosa reassured the public that it is “not hazardous.”

“In fact, that’s what we do during supplemental immunization activities, right? Non-selective immunization,” he added.

Herbosa also drew attention to his vaccination efforts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), highlighting a policy of administering the measles and rubella vaccine to all individuals within the age group, regardless of previous MMR vaccination status.