Recognition of Measles as a Serious Public Health Concern
- Identified measles as a highly transmissible disease.
- Noted that it primarily affects infants and very young unimmunized children.
- Acknowledged complications from measles such as death, blindness, and malnutrition.
Learning from Past Immunization Campaign Successes
- Highlighted the success of national mass immunization campaigns like poliovirus eradication.
- Emphasized sustaining high basic routine immunization coverage among infants.
- Supplemental booster vaccinations during mass campaigns are effective, proven by other countries.
Resources and Capacity of the Department of Health
- Affirmed that the Department of Health (DOH) has adequate resources for nationwide measles reduction and control.
- Target group defined as infants and children aged 9 months to less than 15 years old.
Declaration and Objectives of the Measles Elimination Campaign
- Presidential proclamation declaring the launch of the nationwide measles elimination campaign titled "Iligtas si Baby sa Tigdas" starting September 1997.
- Campaign’s overarching goal: elimination of measles within the Philippines.
Role of Local Government Units (LGUs) in Campaign Implementation
- LGUs to lead local strategy implementation with key responsibilities:
- Special effort to identify and immunize every Filipino infant with the routine dose at 9-12 months.
- Provide supplemental "catch up" vaccination to all children aged 12 months to below 15 years old, regardless of prior immunization or measles infection history.
- Achieve 100% anti-measles vaccine (AMV) immunization coverage per barangay through active master listing.
- Conduct periodic "follow up" mass immunizations following DOH guidelines.
- Enhance measles surveillance systems by adopting standard case definitions, active and timely reporting, and laboratory confirmation facilities.
- Coordinate closely with DOH for timely and effective investigation and control of outbreaks.
Role of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS)
- DECS to collaborate with DOH in conducting measles vaccination in all primary and secondary schools, both public and private.
Designation and Responsibilities of the Department of Health
- DOH designated as the lead agency to coordinate the campaign.
- Responsible for drafting guidelines for proper campaign implementation.
- Authorized to enlist assistance from other government agencies, NGOs, private sectors, local government units, civic and religious groups, international organizations, and other concerned sectors.
- Commitment to continual collaboration to control and eventually eliminate measles.
Official Adoption and Legal Authority
- Proclamation signed by the President of the Philippines, Fidel V. Ramos, on August 26, 1997.
- Includes official seal and executive secretary endorsement.
- Proclamation is legally binding and activates immediate national efforts to combat measles through coordinated vaccination and surveillance initiatives.