DOH, UNICEF stress importance of continuing kids’ vaccination amid COVID-19

Continuing the immunization of children against various diseases should be prioritized even amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

“Kahit na nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya, mahalaga pa rin bigyan natin ng angkop at mga karagdagan o mga tinatawag nating catch up na pagbabakuna para sa mga bata para hindi sila magkasakit, hindi sila makahawa, at hindi lumaganap ang mga sakit na ito," Health Undersecretary for Public Health Services Dr. Myrna Cabotaje said at a virtual DOH press conference.

Cabotaje said that priority vaccines that are still critical amid the pandemic include the BCG vaccine against tuberculosis and the vaccines against hepatitis B, polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and measles, and pneumonia, which remains the number one killer disease among children five years old and below, and overall kills over 50,000 people in the Philippines every year, making it the third most deadly disease in the country.

Cabotaje stressed that the public can get vaccines against these diseases for free in city clinics and rural health units.

In February 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirmed an earlier position that the two PCVs currently available - PCV10 and PCV13 - are equally effective in preventing overall pneumococcal diseases in children.

According to the DOH, the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) is currently reviewing the National Immunization Program (NIP), particularly the Pneumococcal Vaccination Program for children, in light of the new evidence from the WHO. HTAC’s assessment will proceed by the first week of June.

To safely implement the government's immunization program, Cabotaje said that Filipinos may schedule a house-to-house vaccination with health care workers.

The vaccines may also be administered at private clinics provided that orderly appointments and strict social distancing measures are observed.

UNICEF had earlier urged "all governments [to] begin rigorous planning now to intensify immunization activities once the pandemic is under control" and mentioned the Philippines as one of the countries battling outbreaks of other diseases apart from COVID-19.

"Not only would such outbreaks tax already stretched health services, [but] they could also lead to additional loss of lives and suffering," UNICEF said.

“At a time like this, these countries can ill-afford to face additional outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. The message is clear: We must not allow lifesaving health interventions to fall victim to our efforts to address COVID-19," it added.

According to UNICEF, immunization programs must "remain robust." — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News