THE Davao City Health Office's (CHO) Epidemiological Surveillance Unit (ESU) reported that from January to September this year, they have already recorded 22 deaths due to measles. They also reported 602 suspected cases of measles, 42 of which are confirmed cases.
However, the CHO was not able to provide data for the same period last year. But they were able to provide the November to December 2017 figures where 198 are suspected cases, 35 of which are confirmed cases. A total of 11 deaths were due to measles.
Earlier this year, the Department of Health and the CHO has expressed concerns over the measles situation in Davao City. Therefore, the health agencies made efforts to curb the problem through school-based immunization.
However, after the Dengvaxia scare last year, parents are still afraid to have their kids vaccinated. This resulted to a 57.1 percent accomplishment, as of December, in CHO's immunization and vaccination program for the whole city, which includes the barangay health centers and schools.
The government must act fast in educating the public, especially the parents, on the importance of getting their kids vaccinated and immunized against measles. Statements from health officials are not enough to encourage parents.
There should be an effective information and education campaign (IEC) that sets apart other vaccines that the government is using from Dengvaxia. The IEC can also include the vaccines they use and its importance.
The government could also create a data-base that can be accessed by parents where they can check the vaccines being used in vaccination and immunization programs.
Likewise, the private health sector must also be more transparent to the public. It seems like some are sacrificing the health of the public for money. Some people are just too greedy.
If action is slow and there are no steps taken, then we can expect more kids getting measles. We can expect a worse outbreak soon; not only of measles but also of other diseases that can be mitigated and prevented through vaccination.