18 cases of measles noted in Naga

NAGA CITY --- The local health board here is preparing a proposal for the city government to urge parents to have their children vaccinated to avoid measles virus infection. This was revealed by Dr. Butch Borja II, city health officer IV, when he learned about the poor turnout of children for vaccination being conducted by the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and midwives since last week. The parents’ reluctance to have their children vaccinated can be traced to the controversy about Dengvaxia that began in 2017 when scores of children were reported, albeit falsely, died because of complications caused by the anti-dengue vaccine. The city health officer said that parents should be enjoined to have their children vaccinated “because the complications will be more difficult if the infected child is not vaccinated at soonest time.” Borja explained that measles vaccine has long been in use and proven safe and effective. As of press time, the City Health Office registered 18 cases of measles in the city since last week but the city health officer said that it could only be classified as an outbreak by the regional office of the Department of Health. The breakdown of the cases of measles in the city: Brgy. San Felipe, 4; Cararayan, 3; Dayangdang, 1; Sta. Cruz, 2; Concepcion Grande, 2; Mabolo, 1; Liboton, 1; Lerma, 2; Sabang, 1; and Brgy. Panicuason, 1. Borja said there was no case of mortality. Taking the lead in the conduct of intensified vaccination along with massive information and education campaign in the city’s 27 barangays are the CHO personnel, BHWs and barangay midwives. Vaccination is being applied to children whose ages are 6 months, 9 months and 12 months old.