IATF backs immunization activities vs measles, polio

The measles and polio vaccination campaigns of the government will continue despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Inter-Agency Task for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) said.

Health personnel will be allowed to undertake immunization activities regardless of the community quarantine status in the place where these will be conducted, according to the resolution approved by the IATF on Thursday.

“Local government units are hereby strongly enjoined to fully support the immunization activity to ensure successful interruption of measles and polio transmissions,” it added.

In March, the Department of Health said routine immunization of newborns and infants up to 12 months and selective catch up vaccinations of defaulters under five years old should be maintained as long as COVID-19 response measures allow.

The United Nations Children's Fund earlier said some two million Filipino children below two years old may have missed out on vaccinations due to the movement restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Philippines has so far reported 248,947 COVID-19 cases, including 186,058 recoveries and 4,066 deaths. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News