Philippines Prioritizes Vulnerable Population for Pertussis Vaccines Amid High Transmissibility

The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) is prioritizing the most vulnerable population, particularly children under 5 years old, for pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines due to the high transmissibility of the disease. In the first three months of 2024, the DOH reported 1,112 pertussis cases with 54 deaths, with 77% of the cases being in children under 5 years old.

The disease is particularly concerning for infants, young children, and individuals with compromised immune systems. The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) has issued recommendations, including the importance of vaccination, early detection, and appropriate treatment to prevent the spread of pertussis and protect vulnerable populations.

The PCP recommends a three-dose primary immunization series for infants and children, as well as booster doses for adolescents and adults, including pregnant women. The PCP also emphasizes the need for early diagnosis and treatment to improve patient outcomes and reduce transmission.

Why this matters: The pertussis outbreak in the Philippines highlights the importance of prioritizing vulnerable populations in vaccination efforts and the need for a comprehensive approach to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. The high transmissibility of pertussis and its potential severity in young children and immunocompromised individuals underscore the urgency of addressing this public health issue.

UNICEF is calling on the Philippine government to tackle supply problems measles and pertussis outbreak in the country. UNICEF Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov stressed the importance of routine vaccines for children, such as polio and diphtheria, to achieve herd immunity. The organization is helping with the emergency procurement of two million doses of measles vaccines and is providing support for immunization, coordination, cold chain management, and social mobilization in the poorest performing provinces.

The DOH and the healthcare community are working to tackle problems the pertussis outbreak, and the PCP is calling for collaboration from all stakeholders to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable infections. The DOH is urging parents to have their children vaccinated against measles, as there are many vaccine doses available at government health centers. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has already reported over 500 measles cases and is working with UNICEF to procure vaccines and field immunization coordinators, cold chain managers, and social mobilizers in the region. The DOH aims to vaccinate 1.3 million children in the BARMM region against measles by the end of April, as almost half of the measles cases were recorded in this region.

Key Takeaways

• Philippines prioritizing pertussis vaccines for children under 5 due to high transmissibility.
• Philippine College of Physicians recommends 3-dose primary series and booster doses for all.
• UNICEF calls on Philippines to address vaccine supply issues for measles and pertussis.
• DOH aims to vaccinate 1.3 million children in BARMM region against measles by April.
• Healthcare community working to tackle pertussis outbreak, urging parents to vaccinate children.