Vaccination drive vs BARMM measles outbreak set in April

An immunization drive for over 1.3 million children in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is set in April amid the measles outbreak.

The activity was announced in a joint statement by the Department of Health, BARMM Health Ministry, World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines, and UNICEF Philippines.

“A major immunization drive in early April will reach over 1.3 million children in the BARMM following the alarming surge in measles cases with 77% of the confirmed cases in the Philippines being reported from this region,” they said.

“From the 1st until 12th April, health workers will provide lifesaving vaccines to protect against this deadly and highly contagious disease in the densely populated areas of Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Marawi City,” they added.

After completing the three priority areas, the BARMM Health Ministry will cover all other areas in the region, according to the concerned agencies and organizations.

According to them, UNICEF will help buy 1 million doses of measles vaccines for BARMM, which will be given to children aged 6 months to 10 years.

Also, UNICEF will procure another 1 million doses for the rest of the country.

On March 22, the BARMM Health Ministry said three individuals reportedly already died in the region due to measles —two in Lanao del Sur and one in Sulu.

From January to March 20, the group said 592 cases of measles have been reported in BARMM but “it is generally believed that the total number of cases in the community is much more.” — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News