Gov't to intensify vaccination information drive

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Saturday that the government would exert all efforts to ensure the proper implementation of Republic Act (RA) 10152, or the Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act of 2011, to contain and curb the rise in measles cases in the country.

"This is the only way to address the current measles outbreak, abate its spread in more areas, and prevent the occurrence of another one in the future,” Nograles explained.

The Palace thus directed the Health Department to step up its information drive, which was consistent with Section 4 of the law, which states that “the DOH, other government agencies, nongovernment organizations, professional and academic societies, and local government units shall make available appropriate information materials and shall have a system of its distribution to the public.”

Section 3 of the law, meanwhile, stated that the government was required to provide immunization “for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five years of age.”

The mandatory basic immunization for all infants and children provided under RA 10152 covers measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases such as Tuberculosis; Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; Poliomyelitis; Mumps; Rubella or German measles; Hepatitis-B; and H. Influenza type B (HIB).

“So it is clear in the law that we need to mobilize the entire government machinery, as well as our partners in the health sector, to inform the public that immunization is provided for free by the government, that it is safe, and that this is needed to protect the lives and health of children all over the country,” explained Nograles

Nograles reiterated, however, that the government could not force parents to immunize their children, nor punish them for not having their children vaccinated. — DVM, GMA New