By Analou De Vera

The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday said that it will step up its measles vaccination activities among school children from Kindergarten to Grade six before the end of the academic year.

“We are targeting to vaccinate our schoolchildren at this time before school closes on April 5, since we are almost finished vaccinating in our health centers,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

The move is aimed at ensuring the protection of children against measles during the summer vacation.

“This is in anticipation of the summer months, when measles is usually on the upswing,” said Duque.

The health chief once again appealed to parents to let their children get vaccinated against measles.

“We continue to appeal to mothers and caregivers of children in Kinder to Grade 6 to have them vaccinated against measles, a tried and tested vaccine. Let us give our children a fighting chance to have a bright future,” he said.

On Wednesday, the DOH reported that there are now 18,553 measles cases reported nationwide, including 286 deaths as of March 7, 2019.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It is transferred from person-to-person by sneezing, coughing, and close personal contact. Its signs and symptoms include cough, runny nose, red eyes/conjunctivitis, fever, skin rashes lasting for more than three days.