(Eagle News)–Additional pertussis vaccine doses are set to arrive in the Philippines by June.
Health Undersecretary and spokesperson Dr. Eric Tayag said these were apart from the 1500 doses the DOH gave the Quezon City government for use.
“At habang hihihintay iyong bagong supply na baka sa June pa dumating ay mayroon tayong mga antibiotics para kung hindi maiwasan ang pagkahawa, may maibibigay na gamot,” he added.
He said the agency was also doing a quick procurement of 5-in-1 vaccines for pertussis.
Once procured, he said these would also be immediately distributed to the affected areas.
Quezon City has declared an outbreak of pertussis, popularly known as whopping cough, a severely contagious disease that is fatal for infants and young children.
From January to March 20, the Quezon City government reported 23 cases and four deaths, mostly infants 22 days to 60 days old.
Pasig, Calabarzon and the Visayas region have also reported some cases.