National Immunization Efforts
- The Philippines conducted National Immunization Days from 1993 to 1997 and Subnational Immunization Days from 1998 to 1999.
- Oral Polio Vaccine doses were given to children under 8 years old, achieving over 90% immunization coverage.
Importance of Surveillance
- Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) Surveillance is identified as crucial for proving the absence of wild poliovirus circulation.
- The last wild poliovirus case in the Philippines was in Cebu in 1993, and in the Western Pacific Region in Cambodia in 1997.
Laboratory Containment Requirement
- Medical and biological laboratories, both government and non-government, nationwide are potential reservoirs of the wild poliovirus.
- These laboratories are subject to inspection to ensure proper containment measures are implemented to prevent reintroduction.
Public Health Threat After Immunization
- Stopping immunization presents a risk of wild poliovirus reintroduction from laboratories.
- Laboratory containment is essential to mitigate this global public health threat.
Mandate for Cooperation and Coordination
- All government and non-government entities are enjoined to cooperate voluntarily and designate focal persons for collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH).
- The DOH is tasked as the lead agency to coordinate activities and provide guidelines for laboratory containment.
- The DOH may call on various agencies, professional groups, and international organizations to support the eradication effort.
Implementation and Legal Effectivity
- The Executive Order takes effect immediately upon issuance.
- It was signed by the President and countersigned by the Executive Secretary in Manila on January 26, 2000.