DAVAO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) in Region XI is encouraging parents to have their kids vaccinated against Pertussis or Whooping Cough.

“Pertussis is a vaccine preventable disease; we are encouraging the mothers or caregivers to have their children vaccinated. One shot for pentavalent vaccine at the age of one and a half months, second shot at two and a half month and third shot of the pentavalent vaccine for the third month ensures protection against the disease,” Dr. Janis Olavides, Medical Officer IV, said during her guesting at Kapehan sa PIA held at SM City Davao, Sept. 4.

Pertussis is a respiratory tract infection characterized by a severe cough, where the coughing patient is likened to a howling dog. “Luoy kaayo ang mga bata if maigo ni-ini but since it is a vaccine preventable disease pwede nato siya malikayan (The children are really pitiful if they have Pertusssis but since it is a vaccine preventable disease it can be avoided),” Olavides said.

Based on data from DOH-XI, there are already 31 cases Pertussis cases in the region, and is similar to the trend nationwide with increasing cases of Pertussis among childten.

 “For the past three years during pandemic time we have no cases of Pertussis,” Olavides said.

She said the cases can be attributed to children skipping the DPT (diptheria, pertussis, tetanus) vaccination during the pandemic  and may result to the rising cases of Pertussis among children.

Olavides said the help of the media is very important in raising awareness among the parents to have their children vaccinated to help prevent the spread of pertussis among the children.

She added that vaccines are readily available in barangay health centers. (RGA/PIA Davao City)