CEBU CITY, Cebu, Nov. 14 (PIA) --  The Department of Health (DOH-7) has urged parents in Central Visayas who have children aged nine months to 12 months old to have their children vaccinated against measles.

DOH7 reiterated the importance of vaccination to avoid severe effects should their children become infected with measles. 

According to DOH7, an individual needs to receive two vaccine doses to be considered fully protected against the said disease.

For children, the first dose should be given nine months after birth, while the second dose will be given upon reaching one year old or 12 months.

"The best way to prevent measles is magpabakuna lang gyud, lifelong immunity ang makuha sa tawo if nag ka measles na siya, unless if very low iyang immunity." said DOH7 Medical Officer III Dr. Joan Antonette Albito during the Kapihan sa PIA interview on Nov. 7.

DOH7 has conducted routine immunizations for children in the region to bring measles vaccines closer to the people.

They have also installed vaccination posts in different rural health units (RHUs) and temporary vaccination posts in barangay health centers, sports complexes, and other areas.

The department has also implemented house-to-house vaccination and catch-up immunization for those who missed their measles vaccine doses.

A series of special immunization activities will also be conducted in several areas with low vaccine coverage.

They have also conducted several health education and advocacy campaigns to educate parents about the vaccines that their children need to receive to be safe from measles. 

DOH7 has also encouraged those who experience symptoms of the said disease to immediately seek medical consultation in the nearest healthcare facility.

"Dapat early reporting gyud moduol gyud dayun kita sa atong mga healthcare workers, adto ta sa pinakaduol nga healthcare provider para mahatagan og alibyo ang atong mga bata nga ni manifest og sintomas sa measles,’" added Albito.

As of Nov. 7, Central Visayas had a total of 267 reported measles cases with three confirmed measles cases from January to October of this year.

DOH7 aims to increase the measles immunization coverage in Central Visayas as a way to minimize the risk of a measles outbreak in the region. 

"Amo kamung gi encourage ug dili kami kapoyan nga mag sigeg awhag kaninyu nga pabakunahan ang atoang mga kabataan kay para maproteksyonan dili lang sila kung di apil napud tong mga bata nga dili pa kadawat sa bakuna batok sa measles," Albito said. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)