Mothers call for rotavirus shot for babies

CANDABA -- Mothers of newborn babies here asked for the immediate implementation of the rotavirus immunization in various local health centers in the province.

This came as President Benigno Aquino III and Health Secretary Enrique Ona recently led the launching of the rotavirus vaccination for infants.

“Sana ay ipatupad na ito agad sa mga health centers natin para makinabang ang mga tulad naming mahihirap sa bakunang ito,” Geraldine Sagum, 23, said.

Sagum said this development could help a lot of poor families who want to provide the best health security for their babies.

Mothers are urging the National Government through Department of Health (DOH) to ensure the availability of the said vaccine next month so that they could start giving it to infants.

“Sa susunod na balik namin sa barangay health center ang panalangin po namin sana ay mayroon na para agad itong maibigay sa aming mga anak,” another mother here stated.

The World Health Organization (WHO) explained that the rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhea for infants and children as this infects the bowels.

Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe acute gastroenteritis among children worldwide.

It is also the second leading killer of children aged five years or less in the Philippines and worldwide.

Studies revealed that every minute, one child dies of diarrhea worldwide.

In the Philippines, at least 13 children under five years old die every day.