A pediatrician on Thursday urged parents to have their children vaccinated against measles as the Department of Health (DOH) warned that another outbreak might occur next year.
Dr. Cynthia Cuayo-Huico, pediatrician and fellow at the Philippine Pediatric Society, said parents were scared to take their children to hospitals and health centers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are really scared because we might have another measles epidemic.,” Cuayo-Huico said during an interview on ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.
“Our clinics are open. Just schedule your children because we don’t want them to mingle with each other,” she also said.
Cuayo-Huico warned of severe complications such as severe pneumonia and encephalitis if children would not be immunized against the disease.
Two doses of vaccine as the child reaches a year old are recommended, while repeat doses are urged once they turn 4 and 12 years old, Cuayo-Huico said.
Measles, caused by a virus that infects the respiratory tract, can be passed through direct contact and through the air.
Its complications include severe diarrhea, pneumonia, blindness, and even death, the DOH said.