According to National Immunization Program Coordinator Ma. Lourdes Briosos, the Provincial Health Office through the Rural Health Workers are on their feet for the Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine mass immunization. Health workers are also on the selective immunization of anti-measles vaccinees. Briosos said that those who have not yet received the second dosage of anti-measles will be vaccinated as well as children whose parents are willing to have them be vaccinated.
Briosos said as of March 14, 2019, they already vaccinated 9,569 out of the 23,000 target children (ages 0-59 months) for the Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine. For anti-measles, she said that health workers have already exceeded the 300 target having 1,305 vaccinated children already.
According to Disease Surveillance Officer Leila Bernal, as of March 13, 2019, there are already 22 suspected measles cases in the province. Laboratory results are not yet released.
Suspected cases of measles were recorded in Bangued (9), Dolores (4), La Paz (1), Manabo (2), Pidigan (1), Tayum (4), and San Juan (1). Affected age groups are 0-1 year olds with 3 suspected cases, 1-5 year olds with 6 suspected cases, 6-15 year olds with 3 suspected cases, 16-25 year olds with 5 suspected cases, and ages 26-40 with 5 cases.