Law needed for mandatory immunization —DOH official

A health official on Tuesday said a law may be needed for the Department of Health (DOH) to enforce mandatory immunization, a move being considered amid the measles outbreak monitored in several regions, including Metro Manila.

Interviewed on News To Go, DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo said the DOH has a mandate to provide vaccines to all Filipinos through the Expanded Program on Immunization, but has no power to sanction parents who refuse to have their children vaccinated.

"Kaya kung ganoon po, talagang baka kailangan ng batas pa para magkaroon lang ng, kumbaga may powers talaga at may ngipin talaga tayo na maging mandatory ang ating pagpapabakuna," Domingo said.

"Kasi po, like other procedure ngayon, talagang kailangan natin ng consent ng magulang para mabakunahan ang mga bata."

An executive order was issued during the Arroyo administration encouraging parents to have their children undergo immunization, Domingo said.

Domingo reiterated that parents became hesitant to avail of the vaccination program following the Dengvaxia controversy.

He also said there are other ways for the DOH to implement its vaccination program, such as in schools where students are required to have their complete immunization, as well as the government's 4Ps program.

The DOH earlier announced that the number of deaths due to measles has climbed to 70, while the number of measles patients across the country from January 1 to February 9, 2019, has reached 4,302.

Domingo said he is recommending booster shots for children as well as parents.

"When in doubt, kung hindi tayo sigurado, get a booster shot. Kasi wala pong negative effect ang extra na vaccination. Sa health center po natin walang bayad ang measles vaccination." —Jamil Santos/KBK, GMA News