MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday (July 9) pushed for the implementation of mandatory immunization of children anew amid slumping vaccination coverage due to the controversial dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia.
During a school-based immunization program in Valenzuela City, Health Francisco Duque III stressed the importance of vaccination among schoolchildren to protect them from various diseases.
He said he has been pushing to make immunization mandatory in the country but the proposal is still up for discussion with stakeholders and lawmakers.
“I think we can push for that but like most other pieces of legislation, this has to undergo broad and deep consultations,” Duque said.
The government’s immunization coverage suffered a decline by 30 percent in 2018 due to Dengvaxia scare.
The health official previously suggested for the government to seriously consider compulsory vaccination of children following the outbreak of measles in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) and Western Visayas.
Duque said the proposed mandatory immunization program will only provide proven safe vaccine shots against polio, Diptheria, measles, tuberculosis and human papillomavirus (HPV).
Valenzuela City Representative Wes Gatchalian agreed with Duque’s sentiments, saying a law is needed to enforce the program.
“It’s a separate legislation. Hindi itong pwedeng isingit na lang sa IRR, isang bagay na hindi na lang natin pwedeng ipasok na lang sa bibig ng mga magulang for them to accept,” Gatchalian said.
The DOH recently relaunched its school-based immunization program which aims to vaccinate some nine million students this year.
READ: DOH eyes vaccinating 9-M children
Duque said the program is eyeing to immunize students from kindergarten to Grade 7 with the measles and rubella vaccine. Students will also be given booster doses of tetanus-diphtheria vaccines.
On Tuesday, the DOH visited the Apolonia Rafael Elementary School in Valenzuela City for its vaccination program. (with details from Aiko Miguel)
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