PHL has enough vaccine vs. polio —DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) and World Health Organization (WHO) have joined hands to facilitate an effective response to the polio outbreak in the country, according to an official on Tuesday.

"Today mayroon po tayong meeting, ang DOH at WHO, to finalize kung ilan pong eksaktong vaccines ang kakailanganin natin," said Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo in an interview on Unang Balita.

"They (WHO) promised po, kumpleto, lahat ng kakailanganin natin, WHO will be able to provide. Lahat po ng batang dapat mabakunahan, mabibigyan po natin."

Last week, the DOH confirmed the re-emergence of polio in the country after nearly two decades of being declared free from the crippling infectious disease.

Two children from Lanao del Sur and Laguna were diagnosed with polio.

Seven suspected case of polio have also been reported in Zamboanga on Monday.

The WHO expressed concern on the return of polio in the country and vowed to support in preventing its spread by donating vaccines.

"The polio outbreak in the Philippines is confirmed to be from a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2. This is of particular concern, as wild poliovirus type 2 was certified as globally eradicated in 2015," it said in a statement.

As a rapid response to the polio outbreak, simultaneous vaccination programs for children under five years old will be mounted in Metro Manila, Davao, and Lanao del Sur next month.

The DOH said it targets to vaccinate 5.5 million Filipino children. —Dona Magsino/KBK, GMA News