Polio (poliomyelitis) is a highly contagious disease that is caused when the poliovirus invades the nervous system. The signs and symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiff neck and sudden onset of floppy arms or legs. Severe cases can lead to permanent paralysis or even death.
The Department of Health (DOH) said that anyone who has not been fully immunized has the risk of getting polio. Children under five years of age are most vulnerable.
Following the World Health Organization’s declaration of the end of the polio outbreak in the country after the two-year intensified immunization campaigns, the DOH, on the recent web show “Okay, Doc,” reiterated the need for uninterrupted childhood vaccination against polio and to avoid complacency among parents.
Children should be vaccinated
In the episode titled “Proteksyon Kontra Polio,” aired last August 18, DOH Director for Disease Prevention and Control Bureau Dr. Beverly Ho explained why children should get vaccinated against polio.
“Children are the most vulnerable to polio, and because the symptoms are not distinct, we don’t always see the deeper problem of this virus that can paralyze our spinal cords. When you’re fully vaccinated against polio, there’s a 99 percent chance of preventing it,” Dr. Ho said.
She also disclosed that the DOH is preparing for a strong private-sector-supported catch up routine immunization campaign for children.
The DOH, she said, is already in talks with private medical practitioners, educational institutions, and private companies for this campaign and announcements are expected to roll out this September.
Continuous vaccination
National Immunization Program (NIP) manager Dr. Kim Patrick Tejano discussed the importance of protecting children during the pandemic, noting that local government units are continuously carrying out childhood vaccinations in the health centers.
“Just like how there are schedules for our Covid vaccination, there are schedules for routine immunization with some of our local government units [LGUs],” he shared.
He also emphasized that the vaccines provided at the LGUs are available at no cost and provide protection against several diseases including polio, measles, pneumonia, meningitis, tuberculosis, diphtheria, and hepatitis.
Team ‘BakuNanay’
Meanwhile, vaccine advocacy group Team BakuNanay’s community manager Ara Casas-Tumuran shared that she had her daughter safely vaccinated during the pandemic.
“Let’s not be afraid of vaccines, but be more afraid of the diseases our children can get without vaccines,” she said.
Team BakuNanay aims to provide a safe space for parents to ask questions about protecting their children, and share firsthand experiences of vaccination. DOH is also preparing for a strong private sector-supported campaign for catch-up routine vaccination.
“Kailangan po talaga magtulungan tayo [We really need to help one another]. The solutions are here para sa atin [for us] to protect the kids. Hindi po siya malayo, hindi siya imposibleng makuha at libre siya sa inyong mga [It is not far, it is not impossible to get and you can avail it for free at the] health center. So we really encourage all mothers [to have their children vaccinated],” Dr. Ho said.
The information, Ho stressed, is out there for the public to learn about the vaccines and how safe and effective they are.
“You can join groups, like Team BakuNanay, to get advice not just from health workers but from your fellow mothers who have successfully protected their babies,” Dr. Ho concluded.