Health Link

by Cecille dela Rosa de Lemos

Regionwide 2nd Dose Measles Vaccination
for Western Visayas Children

The Department of Health Center for Health Development Western Visayas conducted an emergency meeting with the provincial health officers, city health officers, EPI coordinators, GP coordinators, health promotion education officers, and cold chain managers regarding the Regionwide Implementation of the 2nd Dose Measles Vaccination (MV2) Among Children in Western Visayas on Sept. 30, 2009 at Sarabia Manor Hotel, Iloilo City.

The PHO-Aklan staff who attended the meeting are Bella R. Villaruel, nurse III/EPI coordinator; Sonia David, nutritionist – dietitian II/GP coordinator; and Celia R. de Lemos, supervising midwife/cold chain manager.

Dr. Ma. Sophia S. Pulmones, OIC CHD local health system division, delivered the welcome message. Assistant Regional Director Marlyn Convocar gave her message. Dr. Renilyn Reyes, regional EPI coordinator, presented the EPI Accomplishment Report and discussed topics on Measles Mass Campaigns, the Guidelines on Administration on 2nd Dose of Measles Vaccination, the Logistics Requirements, and the Social Mobilization. Dr. Glen L. Alonsable, regional epidemiologist, presented the EPI Surveillance Report.

The second dose measles vaccination, a special immunization strategy to stop measles virus circulation is currently ongoing in the province of Iloilo and Negros Occidental. In 2008, there was a measles outbreak in one of the municipalities of Negros Occidental. Thus, the issuance of DOH memo 2009-0108 entitled Administration of 2nd Dose Measles Vaccination which only included all the municipalities and cities of Negros as well as Bacolod City. In 2009, majority of laboratory measles cases (7 cases) in Western Visayas were from Iloilo Province. Thus, a similar activity was conducted in Iloilo Province and Iloilo City.

At present, there are 16 laboratory confirmed cases in Western Visayas particularly in the provinces of Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental. With the increasing measles cases in this region, the DOH recommended to conduct the 2nd dose measles vaccination for 13-23 months old children to all other provinces including Antique and Aklan. Measles vaccination may be given as early as six months old but a repeat measles vaccination should be given at nine months old. This measles vaccination at nine months old is considered as the primary vaccination (MV1).

All suspect measles cases should be collected with serum specimen for laboratory confirmation at RITM to be facilitated by PESU. For municipalities with laboratory confirmed cases, 2nd dose measles vaccination may be given to children ages 15-23 months old. Availability of logistics must be ensured prior to the conduct of this activity. Vitamin A will be given to all six months – 71 months old children. /MP