Nograles: No need for ‘mandatory’ immunization

THERE is no need to compel the public to receive vaccines despite the Department of Health’s (DOH) declaration of measles outbreak in some parts of the country, a Cabinet official said on Friday, February 8.

In a press conference, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the current administration merely needs to “step up” its information drive on vaccines in a bid to prevent widespread of contagious diseases that can pose potentially serious health risks, including death.

“Hindi naman siguro kailangan ‘yan (Perhaps, that’s not necessary),” Nograles said, when asked if there is a need for a “mandatory” immunization.

“I think, baka ma-question pa ‘yan sa korte (it might be questioned before the court) somehow. So I think, all we need to do is to step up the drive. The Department of Health has stepped up its drive and involve the local government units,” he added.

The DOH has confirmed the outbreak of measles in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas.

The Health department announced Thursday, February 7, that 90 percent of individuals infected with measles nationwide are unvaccinated.

Filipinos’ trust in vaccines has eroded following the controversy surrounding anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, which was the alleged reason for the deaths of Filipino children.

Following the Dengvaxia controversy, immunization coverage in 2018 fell to 40 percent from at least 70 percent in the last few years, the DOH earlier noted.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who was “saddened” by the measles outbreak, already directed the DOH to immediately look for measures that would prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease.

Nograles said the President had particularly ordered the DOH to boost communication efforts on the importance of vaccination, with active involvement of other government offices like the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and local government units (LGUs).

“The President agreed that the DOH must pursue a more aggressive action on addressing this outbreak. The PCOO will help in information dissemination and communication to the people the importance of vaccination,” he said.

“In terms of its contribution to this [government’s immunization] program, and in terms of its actions, and even in terms of accountability, I think the LGUs play a very critical and an important part in this immunization program and other programs of the government,” he added.