Measles immunization coverage recovers —Duque

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Sunday said that the immunization coverage in the country has already recovered.

Following the deaths allegedly linked to controversial dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, a drop in the immunization program of the Department of Health (DOH) coverage was recorded in the country.

“Naapektuhan talaga 'yung immunization program natin, pero 'yung measles natin bumalik na at nasa 93 percent na ang covergae natin sa measles,” Duque said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

On February 6, the DOH declared a measles outbreak in Metro Manila. A day after the announcement, DOH expanded the measles outbreak declaration in other regions such as in Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas.

The DOH will continue its efforts in immunizing grade school children against measles as soon as this school year starts.

“Lahat ng kindergarten hanggang Grade 7, dapat mabakunahan. Uumpisahan natin ito. Aantayin lang natin mag-settle down muna ang estudyante, mga magulang at mga DepEd (Department of Education) personnel. Sila ang katuwang ng DOH sa pagsagawa ng school-based immunization,” Duque said. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News