DAGUPAN CITY -- The Department of Health (DOH) office in Region 1 (Ilocos) will soon launch an immunization program that will address the possible spread of the deadly Japanese encephalitis among children.
John Lee Gacusan, senior health program officer of DOH-1, said the Japanese encephalitis vaccine will be part of the National Immunization Program.
Pangasinan recorded 23 confirmed cases and at least two died last year, he said in an interview Thursday.
"The disease is not yet known to our country, but other countries are experiencing outbreak. We do not want that to happen here before we act on it," Gacusan said.
It is expected to be launched by last week of March or first week of April after which the vaccine will be available in health centers or rural health units for free for nine-month old up to 59-month old children, he added.
Gacusan assured the vaccine is safe and is being used for over 30 years now by other countries.
"Four hundred million children were immunized by this vaccine in many countries. It is approved by the World Health Organization and the Food and Drugs Administration in the Philippines," he said.
Adults can also avail of the said vaccine in private clinics for a fee.
Japanese encephalitis is a disease spread through mosquito bites and its symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, confusion and difficulty of moving, could lead to swelling of the brain and coma and eventually death. (PNA)
