Philippines grapples with low vaccine supply as pertussis cases rise | ABS-CBN
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Philippines grapples with low vaccine supply as pertussis cases rise
Philippines grapples with low vaccine supply as pertussis cases rise
Rowegie Abanto,
ABS-CBN News
Published Apr 09, 2024 04:22 PM PHT
MANILA — The Philippines on Tuesday said it was grappling with a low supply of vaccines for the highly transmissible pertussis infection as cases continued to increase.
MANILA — The Philippines on Tuesday said it was grappling with a low supply of vaccines for the highly transmissible pertussis infection as cases continued to increase.
The Department of Health said in a statement that the 64,400 pentavalent or 5-in-1 vaccine doses it had distributed nationwide were "running low."
The Department of Health said in a statement that the 64,400 pentavalent or 5-in-1 vaccine doses it had distributed nationwide were "running low."
The agency said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa ordered the use of other vaccines such as the Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP) jabs to prevent gaps in the immunization efforts which focus on children.
The agency said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa ordered the use of other vaccines such as the Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP) jabs to prevent gaps in the immunization efforts which focus on children.
The agency earlier said was expecting a pertussis vaccine shortage next month and was waiting for the arrival of 3 million pentavalent jabs.
The agency earlier said was expecting a pertussis vaccine shortage next month and was waiting for the arrival of 3 million pentavalent jabs.
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In the meantime, the DOH said the public could purchase pertussis vaccines from private institutions.
In the meantime, the DOH said the public could purchase pertussis vaccines from private institutions.
OVER 1,100 PERTUSSIS CASES IN Q1 OF 2024 ALONE
Some 1,112 individuals, mostly children, were afflicted by pertussis or whooping cough infection from January 1 to March 30, the DOH said, noting that the number was "almost 34 times that of the same period last year, at only 32 cases."
Some 1,112 individuals, mostly children, were afflicted by pertussis or whooping cough infection from January 1 to March 30, the DOH said, noting that the number was "almost 34 times that of the same period last year, at only 32 cases."
It also recorded 54 deaths, all aged 5 and below, during the same period, said the agency.
It also recorded 54 deaths, all aged 5 and below, during the same period, said the agency.
Eastern Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Caraga, Central Luzon, and the Cordilleras all saw continuous increases in pertussis infections in the past 6 weeks, the DOH said.
Eastern Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Caraga, Central Luzon, and the Cordilleras all saw continuous increases in pertussis infections in the past 6 weeks, the DOH said.
Pertussis, or tusperina and ubong-dalahit in Filipino, is a highly transmissible and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection.
Pertussis, or tusperina and ubong-dalahit in Filipino, is a highly transmissible and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection.
It easily spreads through droplets produced from coughing or sneezing.
It easily spreads through droplets produced from coughing or sneezing.
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