The Malabon City government on Wednesday, April 3, appealed to Malabueños to strictly observe health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of Pertussis or whooping cough in the city.

(Malabon City government facebook page)

“Since pertussis is spread via respiratory droplets, we highly encourage residents to use face masks, particularly in crowded places and to observe minimum public health standards. Following these steps will minimize the possibility of the infection and will keep us Malabueños safe and healthy,” City Administrator Dr. Alexander Rosete said.  

Malabon City Health Department (CHD) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Dr. Bernadette Bordador said they will also implement catch-up vaccinations for pertussis among the residents, especially children.

“From the statistics recently, vulnerable ang mga mas bata, the younger ones. So, less than a month old yung mga cases na in other cities ay nagiging more serious (Based on statistics, the most vulnerable are young children. So, children less than a month old with Pertussis in other cities have become serious),” she added.

Bordador also said that all children must get the full dose of three shots of the five-in-one pertussis-containing vaccine  beginning at 1 ½ months old , then at 2 ½ months, and finally at 3 ½ months.

“Ideally, they should complete three doses before they are six months old. Ang nakita rin ay if they missed a dose, yun yung nagiging vulnerable yung mga bata to get it [the disease] (Ideally they should complete three doses before they are six months old. What was also seen is that if they missed a dose, that makes the children vulnerable to getting it [the disease]),” Dr. Bordador said.

The city government is also conducting catch-up and booster vaccinations for children one-year-old and above who have yet to complete the number of doses needed for protection against pertussis. 

“Malabon has had two confirmed cases of pertussis since this January, a fully vaccinated four-year old and a 1-month old. Both are now fully recovered. We continue to remain vigilant, intensifying our city-wide catch-up vaccinations for pertussis among the vulnerable age groups,” Dr. Rosete said.