Solons espouse stronger nat'l immunization program
Published May 28, 2020 12:00 am
By Ellson Quismorio
Ranking congressmen on Thursday underscored the importance of having a strong National Immunization Program (NIP) as a way to avoid the scourge of other illnesses similar to COVID-19.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel, Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Barbers, AKO PADAYON PILIPINO Party-List Rep. Adriano Ebcas, and Quezon City 2nd district Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo also agree that a robust immunization program would be good preparation for the Philippines once it gets its share of the COVID-19 vaccine that is currently being developed by pharmaceutical experts.
While he acknowledged the damage caused by the Dengvaxia issue to Filipinos' confidence on vaccines in general, Pimentel said enough time has passed to once again build up consumer belief on the idea of immunization, especially with the threat of the new coronavirus hanging over everyone's heads.
"This pandemic took us by surprise and there is still so much to learn about how this novel coronavirus is transmitted. However, one thing we shouldn’t lose sight of is that the only hope we have out of this pandemic and the solution we are all waiting for is a vaccine for COVID-19 and the eventual herd immunity that our population will develop," Ebcas said.
"Fake news regarding vaccination cannot be allowed to spread. Vaccination saves lives. That is quite clear," stressed the vice chairman of the Committee on Cooperatives Development.
Barbers, chairman of the of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs, agreed that correct information regarding vaccines should be disseminated.
"The government should be aggressive on its campaign for vaccination specially when vaccine for COVID-19 becomes available," noted Castelo, vice chairman of the Metro Manila Development panel.
Ebcas revealed that he and his fellow party-list solons have filed a House Resolution urging the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure the continued safe implementation of the mandated NIP for children despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the measure aims to encourage and support the DOH in its endeavor to prevent future community outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) especially during the current public health emergency.
The resolution also aims to secure a stable supply of available vaccines through the continued conduct of open, fair, and competitive bidding, thereby preventing any “outbreak within an outbreak.”
This pro-mandatory immunization stance was echoed by Committee on Health chairman, Quezon 4th district Rep. Angelina Tan.
“We have several initiatives in Congress in relation to the country’s immunization program. We are pushing for the creation of the NITAG (National Immunization Technical Advisory Group), and we are trying to adopt a school-based immunization program that will benefit our students,” she said.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel, Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Barbers, AKO PADAYON PILIPINO Party-List Rep. Adriano Ebcas, and Quezon City 2nd district Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo also agree that a robust immunization program would be good preparation for the Philippines once it gets its share of the COVID-19 vaccine that is currently being developed by pharmaceutical experts.
While he acknowledged the damage caused by the Dengvaxia issue to Filipinos' confidence on vaccines in general, Pimentel said enough time has passed to once again build up consumer belief on the idea of immunization, especially with the threat of the new coronavirus hanging over everyone's heads.
"This pandemic took us by surprise and there is still so much to learn about how this novel coronavirus is transmitted. However, one thing we shouldn’t lose sight of is that the only hope we have out of this pandemic and the solution we are all waiting for is a vaccine for COVID-19 and the eventual herd immunity that our population will develop," Ebcas said.
"Fake news regarding vaccination cannot be allowed to spread. Vaccination saves lives. That is quite clear," stressed the vice chairman of the Committee on Cooperatives Development.
Barbers, chairman of the of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs, agreed that correct information regarding vaccines should be disseminated.
"The government should be aggressive on its campaign for vaccination specially when vaccine for COVID-19 becomes available," noted Castelo, vice chairman of the Metro Manila Development panel.
Ebcas revealed that he and his fellow party-list solons have filed a House Resolution urging the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure the continued safe implementation of the mandated NIP for children despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the measure aims to encourage and support the DOH in its endeavor to prevent future community outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) especially during the current public health emergency.
The resolution also aims to secure a stable supply of available vaccines through the continued conduct of open, fair, and competitive bidding, thereby preventing any “outbreak within an outbreak.”
This pro-mandatory immunization stance was echoed by Committee on Health chairman, Quezon 4th district Rep. Angelina Tan.
“We have several initiatives in Congress in relation to the country’s immunization program. We are pushing for the creation of the NITAG (National Immunization Technical Advisory Group), and we are trying to adopt a school-based immunization program that will benefit our students,” she said.