Impact of dengvaxia vaccine

Nora E. Culang

DOES the Dengvaxia vaccines issue really affect the Statistical report of DOH Program? The DOH (Department of Health) with DepEd (Department of Education) by catering and implementing different Health Program such as School-Based Deworming with handwashing and Feeding; School-Based Dengue Immunization Program; Anti-Measles, Diphtheria, Antipertussis with AntiTetanus Toxoid vaccine; School-Based Immunization of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, etc.

For how many years, almost 80-98.5% of pupils received the different health program-vaccine. Almost perfect, high number of recipients but after the reported incident from social media, television, radio and internet regarding Dengvaxia. Almost all health programs even Vitamins and Ferrous Sulfate decreases the number of recipient.

Upon asking, interviewing the parents they are afraid, doubtful and sometimes making alibi so that their children can’t receive a certain immunization. The trust and confidence of the parents to the DOH declines because of the Dengvaxia issue and we cannot blame theme weather true, reliable or just a presumption.

Different orientations, seminars, meeting of health professionals relay nationwide to barangay for the parents and even on television and social media for them to continuously support the DOH programs. Until, another health problem arises- Increasing number of measles cases because their children didn’t receive Anti-Measles vaccine. The DOH health professionals keep on the campaign to bring the children to Health Center for vaccination even on Saturdays and some health professionals go house to house per Bar angay.

Hope of winning to bring back the trust of the parents to DOH program might be hard, but this will benefit the kids for a healthy life so that they can attend school every day.

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The author is Teacher III at Collat Elementary School, Masinloc,

Zambales