Ria Zyra L. Battad R.N.

Group V

“The Latest Thrust in Department Of Health for 2011”

In partial fulfillment of the requirements in MNCS 109 Seminar in
Community Health Nursing

“ILIGTAS SA TIGDAS ANG PINAS”

Summary:

On April 4, 2011, the Department of Health (DOH) is launching a 20-day

special door-to-door immunization campaign to vaccinate 18 million Filipino
children (aged 9 months to below 8 years old) against measles and German
measles (Rubella). The campaign will last until May 4. Measles is a highly
contagious disease which can be fatal. It is spread by coughing and sneezing,
close personal contact or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions.
Immunity against measles is developed following vaccination. Vaccination is the
only way to prevent measles and German measles.

Confirmed measles cases have increased from only 453 in 2007 to 1840
in 2011. More than 70% of these cases were among children who had not been
vaccinated against measles. A total of 30 children died in 2010 and as of the
February 19,2011 two children have children died from measles. It is alarming
because no child should die from measles because measles vaccines is free and
available nationwide.

The campaign is part of the Aquino Health Agenda of providing universal

access to health for all Filipinos. The DoH allocated Php 600 million to buy and
distribute the vaccines, needles, and syringes, and to organize and mobilize the
health workers, and to produce communication materials. It costs only PhP 67 to
protect a child from measles and rubella. It costs between PhP 500 to 15,000 to
treat a child with measles.

Major measles outbreaks have been reported in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan,

and Zamboanga del Norte in 2010. DOH data until the 7th week(Feb 13-19) of
2011, showed that there confirmed measles cases in (21 sites) Ilocos Norte, La
Union, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Metro Manila, Batangas, Quezon,
Camarines Sur, Capiz, Iloilo, Southern Leyte, Samar, Zamboanga Sibugay,
Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Davao Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao
Oriental, South Cotabato, Agusan Norte.

Specially trained health workers or Vaccination Teams will do door-to-door

visits to administer the MR vaccine to all eligible children. They will carry proper
identification cards. The MR vaccine will be given to all eligible children through a
one-shot injection at home. After a visit, the health workers will mark the house
with a yellow campaign sticker, containing the following information: number and
age of children vaccinated, date of vaccination, signature of vaccination team,
and other remarks.

Implications:

According to DOH-CAR Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit

head, Dr. Nicolas Gordo, there were 476 recorded measles cases in the region in
2010, wherein 81 of which were laboratory confirmed. There were also already
95 cases recorded, wherein 15 were laboratory confirmed during the first eight
weeks of this year.

There was a national anti-measles campaign in 2008 but it has failed to

reach the targeted 95 percent of children nationwide . In the Cordillera, we only
averaged about 80 percent of the target, which is why there is also an increase in
the number of un-immunized children. Also, based on the last national anti-
measles campaign (in 2008), 20 percent of the 40,000 target or about 8,000
children has not been reached or immunized, which make them vulnerable or
susceptible to measles and rubella, wherein if it gets complications could lead to
the death of a child.

The door to door MR vaccination campaign aims to eliminate the

occurrence of both common measles (tigdas) and Rubella (German measles)
cases.

What does the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine do?

Building up the child’s resistance will help him/her prevent sickness and
promote health for proper growth and development. Immunization is one way of
doing this. The vaccine gives the child an immunity (protection) against measles
and rubella.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the MR vaccine is

safe, effective and inexpensive. A child who already had measles vaccine must
be vaccinated again with this supplemental or additional dose of MR vaccine.

Other ways of building a child’s resistance are through exclusive

breastfeeding from birth to six months, continued breastfeeding and
complementary feeding after six months, and routine vitamin A supplementation
every six months.
The objectives of this special immunization campaign are to:

(1) Reduce the number of children who are at risk of getting measles

(2) Reach a 95% coverage of eligible children

DoH urges mothers, fathers, and caregivers of children to open their doors to the
vaccination teams and have their children vaccinated during this special
campaign.

A measles-free certification will be given to the provinces/cities that will

meet the following:

(1) No missed child and at least 95% coverage

(2) No measles cases for 3 months after the campaign