Some vaccine-preventable diseases have been on the rise recently. Based on the monitoring system of the World Health Organization (WHO), childhood diseases such as measles and polio continue to increase. Incidence of measles grew from 619 reported cases in 2015 to 48,525 in 2019 while reported polio cases topped at 15 from zero cases on the same year.
Last year, the Department of Health (DOH) identified vaccine hesitancy as one of the underlying causes of measles outbreaks in some areas of the country. Vaccine hesitancy refers to the refusal to accept immunization services despite its availability, and this threatens to reverse the decades-long progress made in combating serious and highly-infectious diseases that are preventable by vaccination.
Thus, this year’s rollout of the Philippine National Immunization Congress (PNIC) embraced the theme “Working Towards Vaccine Confidence.” The virtual conference led by the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV) and its partners ran from November 4 to 6, 2020. Health care professionals and allied professions from both private and public sectors, patient groups, policymakers, representatives from the DOH, advocates, and partners from private organizations gathered to collaborate, exchange ideas, learn best practices, and discuss opportunities on how to strengthen vaccine confidence in the country.
Partnering to strengthen vaccine confidence
MSD in the Philippines, one of the healthcare companies supporting PNIC 2020, shares the conference’s goal to advocate for a collaborative and multi-stakeholder approach to strengthening vaccine confidence.
MSD has continuously worked to develop and bring forth innovative medicines and vaccines to help save and improve lives for more than a century. MSD has been actively supporting local government units (LGUs) in helping build vaccine-resilient communities and informing the public of the benefits of vaccination.
To help build vaccine confidence, healthcare companies like MSD collaborate with various partners on a global, national, and local scale. The company also forges meaningful connections with relevant sectors, including key policymakers and stakeholders, to create more resilient immunization programs. On the local level, MSD and its partners continuously design tailored approaches that enhance the public’s awareness on the importance of a life-course vaccination in protecting every Filipino in all stages of life.
Protecting early against HPV: The importance of vaccine confidence in HPV immunization
The current pandemic poses a unique challenge on how to continue advocating for vaccine confidence amidst the fear of contracting the virus when seeking medical consultation or going for a scheduled vaccination. While the world awaits for an effective COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the unseen enemy, the disease also induces vaccine hesitancy or fear in a person who is afraid to catch the virus during doctor or healthcare center visits.
Meanwhile, the shift to virtual schooling or alternative learning also puts a halt to school-based immunization programs that help ensure children and most particularly, adolescents are updated with their vaccination. One of the immunization programs of the government affected by the pandemic is the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. HPV is a virus that causes HPV-related cancers and diseases such as cervical cancer, vaginal and vulvar cancers, penile cancer, anal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, and genital warts.
Infectious diseases and clinical pharmacology expert Dr. Benjamin Co urged fellow health workers to underscore the importance of adolescent healthcare. “The adolescents are what I call the forgotten age PH-NON-00265 Oct/2020 group. One of the challenges is we do not understand the importance of giving vaccines at an age-appropriate time,” he said.
HPV immunization is one of the vaccinations that are most important if given early. “It is not to promote early sexual activity. Studies show that HPV vaccination works best if given at an earlier age when the immune response is optimal,” he clarified.
Recently, the DOH released guidelines on an alternative program for the continuation of HPV vaccination through community-based immunization in order to protect young girls aged 9 to 14 against the cancer-causing effects of HPV.
Since HPV affects both men and women, HPV vaccination for all is also recommended to ensure greater gender equity in the prevention of HPV-related diseases and cancers. Gender-neutral vaccination improves the protection of women and men, while it maximizes benefits from vaccination at lower coverage.
Dr. Co affirms, “Everyone is at risk for cancer. HPV vaccination prevents not only cancer in women but also in men.”
Parents who want their sons and daughters to receive HPV vaccination are encouraged to consult with their doctors.
PNIC symposium focusing on adolescent immunization
One of the major PNIC conference topics was Vaccinating against HPV and other Diseases for Adolescents and Other Special Groups titled “Teen-oy, Teen-ay, Sa Bakuna Wag Pasaway,” a multi-stakeholder panel discussion led by Dr. Co. Joining him were Mu Sigma Phi Medical Sorority of the University of the Philippines – College of Medicine service committee chair Jessa Joy Malipot and Honorable Mayor Imelda Rubiano of Pasay City. Topics that were discussed include optimizing vaccine uptake for adolescent and special groups, vital adolescent vaccinations such as flu, meningococcal, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) and HPV; and immunization campaigns. The dialogue was moderated by the Dean of the College of Medicine, Manila Theological College and past president of PFV Dr. May Montellano together with Adolescent Medicine Specialist and fellow past PFV president Dr. Alice Tamesis.
The PNIC event kicked off with a one-month Master Vaccinology Courses Online for health care professionals which ran from October to November 2020. Some of the vaccinology courses that were available are Adolescent Vaccination by Dr. Emma Llanto and Vaccine Advocacy and Communication by Dr. Lulu Bravo, among other topics. A virtual exhibit hall was integrated in the educational channel to provide additional information for learning. Partner health care companies like MSD in the Philippines showcased virtual booths with features such as disease awareness campaigns and advocacies.