Garin urges parents to vaccinate amid pertussis outbreak

Congresswoman Janette Garin urged Filipino parents to overcome vaccine hesitancy and ensure their children are vaccinated amidst a pertussis outbreak.

The Department of Health (DOH) has reported 1,477 pertussis cases and 63 deaths nationwide from January 1 to April 6.

Garin, a former Health Secretary, identified vaccine hesitancy as the primary driver behind the surge in pertussis and measles cases.

She specifically linked the vaccine scare to the previous administration under former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

The lawmaker questioned why the Philippines uniquely experienced a pertussis outbreak while other countries did not, and noted the resurgence of polio and high measles mortality rates in recent years.

Garin also highlighted ongoing measles outbreaks in various parts of the Philippines, resulting in continued deaths and permanent injuries such as encephalopathy and blindness.

The country is anticipating the arrival of three million pentavalent (5-in-1) vaccine doses by June, and is also procuring Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus (DPT) doses.