By Christopher Hedreyda
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Philippines – Local chief executives in the province of Laguna are seeking the full participation of parents and guardians in having their children aged 0 to 59 months vaccinated against the deadly measles and rubella viruses as part of the Department of Health’s (DOH) nationwide Ligtas Tigdas campaign.
From August 10 to 28, the annual Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA) will be conducted in cities and municipalities nationwide to provide free measles and rubella vaccines to more children and help achieve herd immunity in communities.
Calamba City Mayor Roseller Rizal expressed the local government’s full support for the campaign. In a video statement, he sought to dispel parents’ concerns about vaccinating their children and emphasized the benefits of measles and rubella immunization.
“Nabakunahan man dati o hindi pa, mahalagang makatanggap sila ng karagdagang proteksyon laban sa tigdas at rubella. Ang mga bakunang ito ay ligtas, epektibo, at libreng ibinibigay para maprotektahan ang ating mga anak laban sa mga sakit na maaaring magdulot ng malubhang komplikasyon,” Rizal said.
He also encouraged parents to have their children vaccinated even if they had already received their initial measles and rubella doses, noting that the supplemental immunization provides additional protection.
Rizal added: “Nabakunahan man dati o hindi pa, mahalagang makatanggap sila ng karagdagang proteksyon laban sa tigdas at rubella. Huwag nating hintayin na magkasakit pa ang ating mga anak. Sama-sama nating tiyakin na bawat batang Calambeño ay ligtas laban sa tigdas,”
Meanwhile, Biñan City Mayor Angelo Alonte urged social media users to verify information they read online to avoid being misled by misinformation about vaccines.
“Mag-ingat po tayo sa mga maling impormasyon o fake news patungkol sa bakuna. Makinig at magtiwala lamang sa mga impormasyong nagmula sa Department of Health, mga lokal na opisyal, at sa ating mga healthcare workers. Huwag nating hintayin na magkasakit pa ang ating mga anak,”
Alonte added that, aside from the measles and rubella vaccine, Vitamin A supplementation will also be administered to help provide children with added protection against communicable diseases.
“Sama-sama nating protektahan ang bawat batang Biñanense at makamit ang mataas na antas ng proteksiyon sa ating komunidad. Protektahan ang iyong anak at makilahok sa MR SIA,” the Biñan mayor stressed in his video statement.
Meanwhile, in Santa Cruz, Mayor Joseph Kris Benjamin Agarao promoted the immunization activity by highlighting the accessibility of the vaccines, which will be made available in barangays and other designated vaccination sites.
“[Pumunta sa] mga itinakdang vaccination sites ng inyong barangay at sumangguni sa inyong mga barangay midwife para sa iba pang mga detalye. Mga mamamayan ng bayan ng Santa Cruz, protektahan po natin ang ating mga anak laban sa tigdas at rubella. Ligtas at epektibo po ang mga bakuna sa ating mga health center,” Agarao explained.
According to the Health department, measles and rubella are highly contagious viral diseases that can be transmitted through close contact with an infected person.
Common symptoms include high fever, colds, red eyes, cough, fatigue, and rashes that usually begin behind the ears or on the face.
Children below five years old are particularly vulnerable to these diseases, which can severely affect their immune system and lead to complications such as pneumonia, ear infections, diarrhea, blindness, encephalitis, or even death.
The DOH maintains that there is still no cure for measles and rubella, and routine vaccination remains the safest and most effective way to prevent the spread of these diseases. (CH/PIA-Laguna)
