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Give your child immunity against polio and measles


Give your child immunity against polio and measles

The polio outbreak last September 2019 is a reminder that the fight against this disease is far from over in the Philippines. Polio spreads faster within an unvaccinated population. The same is true with measles or tigdas, another highly contagious disease. To combat the spread of these diseases, the Department of Health (DOH) has launched a polio and measles immunization campaign for children under age 5 since October 2020.

The DOH campaign, called the Measles Rubella-Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization, aims to vaccinate 9.4 million children for measles and 6.9 million children nationwide for the oral polio vaccine to stop possible outbreaks in the future. The immunization program is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

What is polio?

Poliomyelitis, or polio, is an infectious disease that attacks the nervous system and may cause paralysis in children. It is caused by the poliovirus, which is often spread through contact with infected feces or stool. Children who are sick with polio can also spread the virus to other children when they cough or sneeze.

Not all children show signs of the infection, but those who do experience fever, sore throat, fatigue, and stomach pain. Paralysis may happen in extreme cases, but some children can recover their strength over time. A small number of children may die from the disease.

What is measles?

Measles, or rubeola, may look like a simple rash but it is an infection that can be fatal to small children. The measles virus lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. Like polio, it can spread to others through coughing, sneezing, or by touching infected surfaces.

Signs of measles include fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, and watery eyes. It may seem like the simple flu at first, but in a few days, the distinct measles rash also appears on the skin. These rashes usually appear on children’s faces as flat red spots and spread to their neck, arms, legs, and feet. If left untreated, they may suffer complications like pneumonia or swelling of the brain which can lead to death.

Children under the age of 5 are the most at risk, but polio and measles can be prevented by following these guidelines.

  • Have your child vaccinated against measles and polio as soon as possible.
  • Ensure that your drinking water is always clean.
  • Make sure that food is properly cooked before eating it.
  • Encourage proper handwashing before and after eating, playing, and going to the toilet.
  • Keep your house clean and sanitized.
  • Visit your child’s doctor regularly for health check-ups.

Immunization is the key to keep your child safe from polio and measles. If you think your child is exhibiting symptoms or has been exposed to someone infected with these diseases, contact your doctor immediately.

Join the fight to end polio and measles in the Philippines. Get your child vaccinated free of charge at the next phase of the immunization campaign. Follow the Department of Health Facebook page to stay updated.

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