DOH health programs, vaccine coverage suffering after Dengvaxia scare

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday expressed alarm at its declining vaccine coverage and public support for health programs.

In a press conference, DOH Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo said that more and more people are snubbing the department’s health and vaccination programs after the Dengvaxia controversy.

“Ang problem talaga natin right now is our health programs are suffering. We’re having a lot of difficulties. Our health offices are calling us,” he said.

Even the DOH’s vaccine coverage has dropped to around 60 percent, since patients are now wary even of other vaccines.

“Even our vaccination rates are suffering. Natatakot sila sa kahit anong bakuna. We recently had a measle outbreak in Davao, so hinahabol ngayon kasi bumaba ang vaccination rate,” Domingo said.

“We’re now, I think, down to 60 percent coverage. Dati gusto natin 85, 90 percent,” he added.

Domingo implored parents not to allow the Dengvaxia issue to cloud their judgment about vaccination.

He insisted that other vaccines are proven safe and effective against diseases such as polio, diphtheria, tetanus, among others.

“Hindi dapat madamay ang ibang bakuna...Mga tried and tested po ang mga ito. Kailangan maibigay natin 'to,” he said. —KG, GMA News