DOH-CAR urges vaccination against pertussis

by Rahndal Rico | April 14, 2024

From left, DOH-CAR Family Health Cluster Head Dr. Anachris M. Kilakil, BGHMC Department of Psychiatry Medical Officer III Dr. Anniline C. Teng, DOH-CAR Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit Head Ms. Victoria L. Malicdan, and DOH-CAR Senior Health Program Officer Mr. Sean Paul Fiangaan during Kapihan sa Baguio on Thursday, April 11, in observance of World Health Care Week. (Facebook Live/PIA Cordillera)

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Department of Health-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) on Thursday, April 11, urged the public to get vaccinated due to increasing vaccine-related diseases like pertussis.

DOH-CAR Family Health Cluster Head Dr. Anachris M. Kilakil said herd immunity has yet to be achieved because many children remain unvaccinated.

“Never pa nating nakamit yung target nating 95 percent coverage na sinet ng national Department of Health para sa ating immunized child na percentage,” she said in a media briefing.

“Dito po sa Cordillera, ever since 2013, so sampung taon po from 2013 to 2023, never nating nakamit ang 95 percent,” she added.

Percent coverage for Fully-Immunized Children (FIC) in CAR from 2013–2023 shows that the region has not yet reached the required 95 percent of immunized population to achieve herd immunity. (Facebook Live/PIA Cordillera)

Kilakil stressed the importance of immunization to prevent diseases like flu, measles, Hepatitis B, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

“Yung bakuna, safe po siya at epektibo. At ang bakuna, at the end of the day, nakaka-safe po siya ng buhay, she said.

“Every day dapat naco-convince tayo na pabakunahan ang ating sarili plus yung mga mahal natin sa buhay,” she added.

On Tuesday, April 2, the Baguio City Health Office confirmed five cases of pertussis or whooping cough in the city from Feb. 19 to March 27.

The DOH-CAR recorded 51 pertussis cases in CAR from Jan. 1 to March 30, 2024.

There are 32 cases from Baguio City, 18 from Benguet, and one from Kalinga.

Meanwhile, 47 percent of CAR received three doses of pertussis-containing vaccine from Jan. 1 to March 30, 2024, according to DOH-CAR Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit Head Victoria Malicdan.

Pertussis is caused by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis and is transmitted from person to person through coughing or sneezing.