Paranaque mayor sets massive anti-measles drive

The city government of Parañaque last January 18, 2014 announced that health workers will start a 10-day massive anti-measles vaccination drive that started last Monday, January 20, that targets all children aged 6 months to three years in line with the national government’s call for a swift and comprehensive response against the deadly disease.

“We have to do something immediately, and we aim for a 100 percent coverage of all those who belong to the vulnerable age group of six months to three years,” Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez said. “We will mobilize all available resources to effectively respond to this public health menace in our midst.”

The mayor said the city’s health workers are working overtime this weekend to ensure that there will be enough health personnel and vaccines when health centers open on Monday and immediately start giving measles shots.

“I am calling on all mothers with children who fall under this age group not to waste time. Go to our nearest health and vaccination stations starting Monday and have your children vaccinated,” he urged. “We cannot afford to be complacent against this deadly disease, and we certainly cannot let our young be put to great risk.”

Dr. Olga Virtucio, the City Health Officer, said the vaccination campaign will start from January 20 until February 3, 2014. Free vaccines will be available in all health centers in the city’s 16 barangays as well as in vaccination stations that will be set up to reach the most vulnerable areas.

While a measles outbreak has not been officially declared in the city, authorities have detected possible outbreak cases in two barangays. There were a total of 28 measles cases in the city in 2013, with two confirmed deaths.

Dr. Virtucio said that Parañaque City is aiming for a 95% to 100% coverage of all children in the target age group, but added that information dissemination is crucial to the success of the campaign.

“Please help us inform all mothers who have children in this age bracket, to please bring their children to the health centers and vaccination stations because this is the most efficient way for everyone,” she said. “We have to maximize our manpower and medical resources to vaccinate as many children as we can.”