Gordon, Nancy Binay tell parents: Don’t fear DOH vaccines

Senators Richard Gordon and Nancy Binay on Wednesday appealed to parents to have their children vaccinated for preventable illnesses, as they expressed concern over the reported decrease in immunization rates following the Dengvaxia controversy.

In a statement, Binay said the benefits of having children vaccinated for illnesses such as polio, pertussis, measles, tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis-B still outweigh the risks.

“Bilang isang ina, naiintindihan po natin ang pagaalinlangan ng ilan sa ating mga kababayan, pero masdelikado po kung hindi natin papabakunahan ang ating mga anak,” Binay said.

According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, immunization coverage has dropped over public fears arising from the controversial dengue vaccination program.

"Nakakalungkot kasi nadadamay po nitong isyu ang mga magagandang programa ng Department of Health na napatunayan nang ligtas at kailangan ng mga bata," Binay said.

Gordon, chairman of the blue ribbon committee leading the Dengvaxia probe, echoed the sentiment of Binay.

He said the public should not fear the DOH’s Expanded Program on Immunization or EPI.

“Vaccines included in the DOH’s EPI are safe. These vaccines have been tried and tested and they must be given to your children so they would not contract the diseases that the department’s programs are trying to prevent,” Gordon said.

“I understand the fear triggered by the Dengvaxia mess but we should not let our fears cloud our better judgement. Avoid Dengvaxia; but let your children be inoculated with the other vaccines,” he said.

Vaccines included in the EPI prevent diseases such as measles. mumps, polio, hepatitis B, rubella, pertussis, diphtheria, pneumonia, and tetanus.

Gordon also called on the DOH to act swiftly and allay unfounded concerns and restore public confidence on the government’s healthcare programs. — RSJ, GMA News