EVEN as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, the Department of Health (DOH) Saturday, April 25, called on parents to have their children immunized against different vaccine-preventable diseases.

In a televised press briefing, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said it is imperative for parents to continue availing of the government’s National Immunization Program in their local health centers despite the prevailing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

“We appeal to all parents with children below 5 years old. It is important to provide them with the necessary protection against diseases that usually results to death,” said Vergeire.

She said there is no reason to stop following the immunization schedule provided in their respective immunization cards despite the pandemic.

They include vaccines for Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pneumonia, Polio, Meningitis, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.

“Our health centers remain open. They just have to follow the immunization schedule indicated in their cards,” said Vergeire.

She said the Covid-19 outbreak actually gives them additional reasons to get their children immunized.

The health official said this is because having additional diseases can make their children immunocompromised.

“Now that we are in the middle of a pandemic, we need to give them the necessary vaccines so that the COVID-19 virus won’t easily be transmitted to them. Covid-19 is easily transmitted to immunocompromised individuals,” said Vergeire.

On Friday, the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) Philippines said it is worried that around 2 million Filipino children may be unable to get protection against vaccine-preventable diseases during the outbreak. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)