UNICEF pushes for continuation of routine immunization amid COVID-19
HEALTH • 19:15 PM Sat Apr 25, 2020
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UNICEF news release
A mother in Maguindanao reads a COVID-19 leaflet as she waits for her child to be vaccinated. (UNICEF)
MANILA - The UNICEF is calling for the promotion and continuation of routine immunization efforts as the Philippines’ health services face the COVID-19 pandemic.
During this year’s World Immunization Week from April 24-30, a majority of communities in the country are under enhanced community quarantine, with routine immunization services disrupted or suspended, possibly affecting at least two million children below two years old who are most vulnerable to vaccine preventable diseases.
In the Philippines, childhood immunization coverage has been declining sharply in recent years from 87 per cent in 2014 to 68 per cent in 2019, exposing children to vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and polio.
The recent measles outbreak in the Philippines in 2019 saw a staggering 130 per cent increase in cases compared to the same period in 2018.
Polio re-emerged in the country in 2019 with 17 confirmed cases and health experts fear an increase as the polio outbreak response had to be suspended due to COVID-19.
Predicting vaccines stock out, reaching remote areas and disadvantaged children as well as increasing budget and staff of local governments are needed to prevent a further decline in immunization rates.
UNICEF encourages Local Government Units (LGUs) with no known cases of COVID-19 and who have adequate immunization staff and vaccines to continue immunization activities if feasible.
The Department of Health (DOH) issued Interim Guidelines for the Immunization Services in the Context of the COVID-19 Outbreak on March 25 to help local authorities in decision-making.
“We recognize the vital role that health workers play during this challenging time. They are heroes in the frontlines risking their lives and the health and welfare of their families. We must do all we can to support, empower and invest in their safety, training and well-being, as they encourage parents to vaccinate against preventable diseases that remain a very real threat to children,” UNICEF Philippines Country Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov said.
UNICEF emphasizes that lifesaving health intervention like immunization cannot be neglected in its efforts to contain COVID-19.
Catch-up immunization and intensified immunization activities are deeply needed once the COVID-19 pandemic is under control. These vaccination activities must focus on children who missed vaccine doses during this period of interruption and prioritize the poorest and most vulnerable children.
“Vaccines protect children against harmful disease and death, saving up to three million lives every year, or more than five lives saved every minute of every day. Vaccines are scientifically proven to be safe and effective to prevent diseases,” UNICEF Philippines Chief of Health and Nutrition Programme Dr. Wigdan Madani said
UNICEF is investing around P85 million in the next three years to support DOH and other partners to increase immunization coverage by helping strengthen routine immunization and improve processes to procure and distribute vaccines.
UNICEF also helps at the barangay or village level to strengthen local governance mechanisms, create ordinances and health committees, improve data and monitoring, conduct training and communicate health messages effectively.
In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), UNICEF has been working closely with ministries/agencies, the Mindanao Humanitarian Team, civil society organizations, and Integrated Provincial Health Offices across BARMM, including Maguindanao.
UNICEF had provided two tents for triage to the Cotabato Regional Medical Center and Maguindanao Rural Health Units in the towns of Datu Blah Sinsuat, South Upi, Dalican, Shariff Aguak and Buluan.
UNICEF said Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and other supplies to hospitals coming soon.
The UN agency also ensured that health workers receive proper training on COVID-19.
In Cotabato City, it provided mobile handwashing stations in all of its 37 barangays.
UNICEF also made it sure that communities receive the right information on how to protect themselves from COVID-19 and worked with religious leaders on sermons on COVID-19.
Other interventions include:
- Working with young people through the use of the (UNICEF) U-Report online platform
- Translated health messages in different dialects such as Maguindanaon, Teduray, Tausug, Maranaw, Sama, Yakan and distributing these leaflets in food packs
- Putting up IEC tarps and fliers/fans with safety messages in key areas such as quarantine check points, hand washing facilities, relief good packages
- Working with MOH, MSSD, MBHTE, MILG for education, health and protection work and Bureau of Public Information and Crisis Communications Cluster members-IATF for communications equipment, technical assistance to share accurate information on the risks, precautionary measures across mass media