BACOLOD CITY -- An official of the Department of Health Region 6 (DOH-6) appealed to residents of Western Visayas not to lose trust in the government’s immunization program in the wake of the Dengvaxia controversy.
Dr. Reynilyn Reyes, point person for national immunization program of DOH-6, said as of Wednesday they acknowledged that the dengue vaccine brought fear to Filipinos, particularly parents of schoolchildren.
She urged parents not to raise fear among themselves, and still submit their children to the national immunization program in health centers or in schools.
“We still have other vaccines proven to be effective and safe,” Reyes said, citing immunizations for polio, measles, tetanus, diphtheria and tuberculosis.
The health official reiterated that Dengvaxia had not been used in public schoolchildren in Western Visayas.
“Let us not generalize the Dengvaxia issue, not all vaccines are similar to anti-dengue,” Reyes said.
She added that the DOH-6 is intensifying its awareness campaign to inform the public that not all shots given through the National Immunization Program pose health risks.
The DOH launched the anti-dengue vaccination initiative in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and National Capital Region last year.
Earlier this month, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III ordered to stop the dengue vaccination program until experts are able to review new developments on Dengvaxia.
On November 29, DOH received an information from Dengvaxia manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, that a child who has not had dengue before receiving the vaccine could suffer from severe dengue after a 30-month period.
Last week, the DOH-6 said it would help monitor children immunized with Dengvaxia.
Those who availed of the vaccine from private clinics had been advised to seek recommendations from the pediatricians who administered the vaccination, Reyes said. (PNA) DECEMBER 2017
* Stay at Home and START YOUR OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at
www.wirenine.comLinkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=113848.0
Topic: Public asked not to lose trust in gov’t immunization program (Read 280 times)