PRC to roll out anti-measles vax
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard “Dick” Gordon said they will roll-out massive six-month immunization activity following reports that cases of measles increased significantly in recent weeks.
“The US last week expressed deep concern on the news that 45 children in a certain state had measles. With that, should we not be more concerned that there are 2,000 children in some parts of the country that are reported to have been affected by measles?” he asked.
The Department of Health (DOH) said vaccination protects against measles, which has no specific treatment.
Concerned with the spread of the virus that can expose millions of Filipino children to measles, Chairman Gordon said PRC will roll out a massive six-month immunization activity.
“We need to act fast. We must vaccinate, isolate and support initiatives to temper the outbreak,” he said, instructing PRC to deploy volunteers and ensure Volunteer Emergency and Rescue Vehicles (VERVs) and motorcycles are sent across the country as soon as possible so children can be vaccinated against measles at the soonest time.
Chairman Gordon also directed the immediate setting up of emergency field hospitals. “Our volunteer doctors and nurses will do the vaccination,” he said.
