DOH: Two vaccine shots must be taken to avoid measles

MANILA (UPDATED) – Children ages 6 months to 18 months must complete the required two vaccinations to fully prevent measles.

In an interview on “Umagang Kay Ganda”, Health Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said newborn children must take the first preventive vaccine shot for measles upon reaching 6 months to 12 months.

The second vaccine shot should be taken upon reaching the age of 12 months to 18 months.

Tayag stated that these two consecutive shots must be taken to avoid having the risk of getting measles.

Measles are said to spread during the cold season, and that its symptoms must not be taken lightly.

It may also cause other illnesses like severe pneumonia, diarrhea with severe dehydration, and tuberculosis.

If the patient is also suffering from Vitamin A deficiency, the disease might intensify.

In order to identify it against other diseases, measles’ common symptoms include conjunctivitis (pinkish eyes), cough, runny or stuffed nose, fever, and skin rashes.

Asec. Tayag also added that even if the rashes are still not visible, the measles are already contagious.

To avoid measles, Asec. Tayag recommends that all newborn babies be immediately vaccinated, and for parents to make sure that the second shot be taken before the child reaches 1 and a half years of age.

Children who are aged beyond that bracket are no longer covered by the DOH’s program.

The DOH will start a Measles Nationwide Elimination where babies 9 to 11 months old who missed the first shot may be given vaccines.

For those who failed to avail of the 2nd shot and have gone past 18 months old, DOH will be able to provide free vaccines only if there will be extras from the said program.