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Duque says health workers need to persuade people to avail free vaccination amid Dengvaxia mess


Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Wednesday he has told health workers to continue to persuade people to participate in the government's immunization program amid the Dengvaxia controversy.

Duque admitted during the continuation of the Senate blue ribbon committee's hearing on the dengue vaccine controversy that public support for the Department of Health's national immunization program has continued to decline.

“Bumaba ang immunization coverage para sa karaniwang bakuna. Ang kautusan ko sa tao ay huwag silang titigil at huwag silang susuko. Kung kinakailangang ligawan ang bawat pamilya na hayaan ang DOH na bigyan sila ng bakuna,” Duque said.

The Health secretary said they have recorded a drop of 63 percent to 79 percent in the measles vaccination coverage in Zamboanga Peninsula since the Dengvaxia controversy broke out.

Duque reiterated that the government's immunization program, aside from the dengue vaccination program, has been very effective, with three to five million people served.

Meanwhile, Duque said the government's immunization program in Davao Region increased to 65 percent because of the health workers' persistent encouragement for people to participate.

“Ang tugon ng DOH sa measles outbreak sa Davao, sa Region 11, the outbreak response on immunization rating is 65 percent medyo tumataas na kasi ito ay bumaba at binigyan natin ng kautusan na huwag susuko, kelangan ligawan, puntahan bahay bahay at kumbinsihan ang mga magulang at balik balikan,” said Duque. —ALG, GMA News

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