THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) on Saturday warned about a possible outbreak of measles in Mindanao due to the failure in achieving herd immunity of 95% from the month-long and extended MR-SIA.
The Ligtas Tigdas Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA) rolled out in Mindanao last Jan. 19 until February 13 and was later on extended until February 20.
DOH reported as of Friday, Feb. 20, that about 2.3 million, or 82% of the children 5 years old and below, are vaccinated in temporary and fixed sites of local government units in Mindanao and BARMM.
DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa warned that while the vaccination coverage is high, it is still below the herd immunity threshold.
“That’s why we are doing this Measles Rubella Supplemental Immunization. Every year, if you can’t reach your target, the number of children who remain unvaccinated rises,” he said.
“Even up to after five years old, which is our target, if many are unvaccinated, it’s possible that those who are at school age can contract measles, which may trigger an outbreak in school,” he added.
With the deadline last Friday, this leaves 520,645 or 18% of the population unvaccinated.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) recorded the highest number with 517,981 children, or 90% of the target.
“The concept of herd immunity is that if many are unvaccinated, more will become infected, and it will quickly create an outbreak because of the number of vulnerable kids,” Herbosa said.
If the local governments achieve a 95% herd immunity, he said, they can stop the virus in its tracks.
The DOH reminded parents to subject their children to two doses of the measles vaccine and undergo routine immunization.
The MR-SIA initiative is implemented in Mindanao as part of the first phase of the nationwide campaign, while the second phase will cover Luzon and Visayas.
Photo: Screengrab from DOH Philippines
