A million doses of the pertussis vaccine to arrive in June

At least one million vaccine doses against pertussis or whooping cough would arrive in the country in June, the Department of Health said Saturday.

According to Christian Mano’s report on Super Radyo dzBB, Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag said the country did not have enough vaccines against various types of diseases, including pertussis.

Tayag added that the DOH had ordered 800,000 to 1 million doses of vaccines, which would arrive in June or during the middle of the year.

Currently, Tayag said there were still some supplies left. In the meantime, those affected by the disease can take antibiotics.

There are 453 cases of pertussis in the country, most in Metro Manila, followed by Calabarzon and Eastern Visayas.

Tayag said that of the figures, 367 were confirmed cases and 25 deaths.

Last Thursday, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte declared a pertussis outbreak in the city amid the 23 cases reported as of March 20.

Pertussis is a contagious lung disease caused by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis, the Quezon City government said, citing the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Four babies who were less than six months old died due to the infection.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defined pertussis as a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella, which easily spreads from person to person, mainly through droplets produced by coughing or sneezing.

It said pertussis symptoms include mild fever, runny nose, and cough, which in typical cases gradually develops into a hacking cough followed by whooping. — DVM, GMA Integrated News