TIM eMagazine Vol.3 Issue 11
Measles task force a
solution to the crisis
DOH CALABARZON Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo leads the adminis-
tration of measles vaccine to children during a regional mass immunization
campaign against measles in one of his visits in the province (file photo).
T
he increase of people affected by the recent measles
epidemic is cause for alarm, particularly in the
CALABARZON area where recorded cases are the
highest.
Recent statistics show that a total of 972 cases
from January 1, 2019 to February 9, 2019, with 25
confirmed deaths, Age of cases range from 9 months
to 59 years old. This year’s figure is 683% higher
compared to the same period last year with only 124
reported cases and 1 confirmed death.
From the 972 measles cases, there were 202 vaccinated; 359 were
not vaccinated; 192 were below 9 months old; and 174 who have
unknown vaccination status.
In CALABARZON, the province with the highest number of measles
cases is Rizal with 465; Laguna recorded a total of 167 cases; Batangas
with 142 cases; Cavite has 126 reported cases; and Quezon with 72
cases.
But rather than be alarmed at rising statistics, it is best if the public
be updated about measures aimed reducing this epidemic to a
minimum, by the most effective means possible.
For its part, in series of events the Department of Health (DOH)
created Task Force Measles where, during a one-day emergency
meeting held in Quezon City, DOH-CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna,
Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) which was conducted by Regional Director
Eduardo C. Janairo lst February 11. This meeting was addressed to
all Provincial Health Officers (PHOs), City Health Officers (CHOs),
DOH CALABARZON Regional Director Eduardo C.
Janairo enumerates plans and strategies that will
be implemented during the measles mass immu-
nization activity to health workers of the region
during the emergency meeting for measles held in
Quezon City on February 11, 2019
Municipal Health Officers (MHOs), National Immunization Program
(NIP) Coordinators and Provincial Health Team Officers (PHTOs)
including Development Management Officers (DMOs) to expedite
all possible measures to help decrease the number of cases in
CALABARZON.
It also conducted another emergency response meeting to address
the rapidly increasing measles cases with Provincial Health Officers
(PHOs), City Health Officers (CHOs), Municipal Health Officers (MHOs),
National Immunization Program (NIP) Coordinators and Provincial
Health Team Officers (PHTOs) and Development Management Officers
(DMOs) of the region.
Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo outlined the latest directives
and key strategies in the on-going mass immunization against
measles. “We will be implementing key strategies on measles
outbreak response including surveillance, public awareness and
education, vaccination and taking care of measles patients in
DOH CALABARZON Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo outlines various direc-
tives from the Department of Health during the emergency meeting on measles
outbreak response to health workers held at the New World Manila Bay Hotel in
Malate, Manila on February 14, 2019.
health care facilities,” he stated during his presentation of plans and
objectives at the New World Manila Bay Hotel on February 14, 2019.
Likewise, DOH Region IV implemented a massive mass
immunization activity will include house-to-house visits, reading of
message advisory during church services, distribution of IEC materials
on measles vaccination and setting up of injection posts in churches,
bus stations, food chains, schools and other public areas.
Stressed Janairo: “Measles vaccine is the only way to prevent the
spread of measles virus. It is very important that our children are
vaccinated regardless whether they received it or not, we have to
make sure that they have the protection they deserve.
“Let us protect our children against measles. Bring them to your
nearest health centers, and immunization centers that will be placed
in public areas such as malls, churches, schools and food chains. It
is still the safest effective way to combat measles virus,” he summed up.
www.ro4a.doh.gov.ph
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