Measles outbreak in BARMM, vax drive begins

COTABATO CITY - The Philippines is to start a major immunization drive this month that will reach over 1.3 million children in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following the alarming surge in measles cases with 77% of the confirmed cases in the Philippines being reported from this region.

Health workers will provide lifesaving vaccines to protect against this deadly and highly contagious disease in the densely populated areas of Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Marawi City.

 

The BARMM Ministry of Health will vaccinate children in all three priority areas and subsequently, cover all other areas, with support from the Department of Health (DOH), as well as WHO and UNICEF.

 

With one million doses of measles vaccines for this region that UNICEF will help to buy, in response to DOH Secretary Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa's fast track request, health workers will fan out across the region in one major round. They will give measles shots to children aged 6 months to 10 years.

 

UNICEF will also help procure another one million doses of measles vaccines for the rest of the country. Children aged 6 to 59 months will receive one dose of vitamin A, while those with confirmed cases of measles will receive two. Vitamin A is a low- cost way to prevent complications from happening and boost immunity against other illnesses.

 

Apart from its direct effect on the body, which can be lethal, the measles virus also weakens the immune system and makes a child more vulnerable to other infectious diseases like lung, brain, and ear infections, diarrhea, and blindness. 

 

The cost to the healthcare system as well as lost family income when caring for sick children is staggering. According to PhilHealth, it may cost up to P40,000 per pneumonia case - the commonest measles complication. On the other hand, it costs the government P200-300 to vaccinate a child with measles. The vaccines are provided free to the population. 

“There is a critical need to reach and vaccinate the children missed during routine vaccinations. We have to make sure that no child is left behind in the BARMM. We have the support of many stakeholders, now it is up to us to lead in this fight against this deadly disease,” said BARMM Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas.

“President Marcos is keen on ending this measles outbreak. Kung sa Bagong Pilipinas, bawat buhay mahalaga, sa Bangsamoro rin - bawat bata mahalaga, (If in the new Philippines, each life is important, so it is in the Bangsamoro where every child is important),” said Herbosa.

Since January, the region has officially reported hundreds of cases of measles. It is generally believed that the total number of cases in the community is much more. Last October, Lanao del Sur activated their emergency operations centers for a measles outbreak in all health units. In the same month, Marawi City declared a measles outbreak.

Measles is probably the most contagious disease known to affect humans. It can affect anyone, though it is most common in children. Data from the current outbreak has as many as 30 per cent of the cases above 5 years of age, according to WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rui Paulo de Jesus.

 

“Community-wide vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles. Urgent, targeted, and accelerated efforts are critical to reach all children with the necessary measles vaccine,” he said.

Last year, only 60% of the eligible children received their first dose of the measles vaccine in BARMM and only 51% of children got a second dose.

For the Philippines to be safe from the threat of measles, 95% of the infants must be vaccinated with two doses of measles vaccine at 9 and 12 months of age during routine childhood immunization. Failing this, many children grow up unprotected - only to catch measles later with protracted community transmission and periodic outbreaks. (Mindanao Examiner)