Anti-measles vaccines safe amid outbreak in Davao: Palace

Roque further said that it would cause bigger problems if parents prevented their children from receiving anti-measles vaccines. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA— The government’s anti-measles vaccines as well as its other vaccines are safe, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque assured anew amid a measles outbreak in Davao City.

Roque made this reassurance as parents remain apprehensive that the anti-measles vaccines might have the same effect as Dengvaxia which was suspected to be the cause of the death of a number of children who were administered with it.

“Ang meron lang pong eskandalo, ‘yung Dengvaxia, ‘yung vaccine laban sa dengue dahil ito ay bago. Wala pong banta ang mga dati na nating ginagamit na mga vaccination laban sa iba pang sakit (Dengvaxia is the only vaccine under controversy because it is new. There is no threat posed by vaccines used for other diseases),” Roque said during a press briefing in Tabuk, Kalinga.

‘Wag kayong matakot sa iba’t ibang klaseng pang pa-bakuna bukod na lang dito sa (Do not fear other vaccines except) Dengvaxia,” he added.

Roque further said that it would cause bigger problems if parents prevented their children from receiving anti-measles vaccines.

“Kung hindi niyo pina-bakunahan ang inyong mga anak laban sa ibang mga sakit na alam naman natin na safe ‘yung bakuna, ay talaga pong lalong magkakasakit ang ating mga anak. Mas makakasama ang takot natin sa bakuna (If you don’t get your children vaccinated against other diseases, the more they would get sick),” Roque said.

Roque earlier said that President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered all public hospitals to provide free medical services and treatment to children administered with Dengvaxia.

“Inutusan din ng Presidente na lahat ng pampublikang ospital ay dapat magbigay ng serbisyo doon sa mga kabataan na naturukan ngDengvaxia (The President ordered all public hospitals to provide services to children given Dengvaxia),” Roque said.

Roque further said that Duterte wanted the government to foot the bill for treating victims linked to Dengvaxi and was eyeing the assistance of foreign clinical pathologists following concerns that there was lack of clinical pathologists in the Philippines.