Nationwide measles alert up, DOH exec says

Health Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag on Thursday said they already raised a measles alert across the country following the significant increase in the number of deaths in Metro Manila where an outbreak has been declared.

“Ang measles alert po ay sa buong bansa po sapagkat inaasahan ang pagkalat nito,” Tayag said in his interview on Unang Balita.

According to Tayag, there were 55 reported deaths due to measles in National Capital Region (NCR) while other cases are still to be confirmed.

“Sa ngayon ang nilabas ng Department of Health, 55 yung namatay. Vine-verify  pa po namin yung iba,” he said.

Tayag advised the local government units to keep their health centers open for the public to make the vaccines available to them.

The health official admitted that the controversy over the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia has causaed apprehension among parents regarding vaccination. He reminded them that all other vaccines are proven effective and safe.

"Hindi po dapat maging dahilan yung Dengvaxia para hindi magpabakuna. Maging ang PAO (Public Attorney’s Office) ay nagsabi na rin po na huwag idamay yung ibang bakuna ng Department of Health,” he said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque had earlier said PAO chief Persida Acosta's allegations have resulted in the "decline in vaccine confidence and a rise in cases of measles and other vaccine preventable diseases."

“Hindi naman po natin maaalis sa ating kababayan natin sa sisihin yung PAO sapagkat kapag ini-interview na man yung mga pasyente napapanuod  naman sa televsion, naririnig sa radyo na natatakot sila dahil sa Dengvaxia,” Tayag said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News