00:00 Immunization is recommended to everyone from newborns to kids, adolescents, adults, and of course the elderly.
00:07 But this month of August, we focus on the need for adolescents to be immunized and protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.
00:16 Joining us now live in the studio is Dr. Janice Asuncion Bunuan-Macazo.
00:21 She's a National Immunization Program Focal and Medical Officer at the DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau's
00:29 Child, Adolescent, and Maternal Health Division.
00:32 Good morning, Dr. Janice.
00:34 Our designation is very long.
00:37 Welcome to New Day.
00:38 Now, Dr. Janice, when it comes to the Philippines, how many adolescents are sick with the diseases that should be vaccine-preventable?
00:47 Actually, we are seeing a rise in cases of adolescent cases of vaccine-preventable diseases,
00:54 which should have been not seen if they have good vaccination status during childhood.
01:02 Okay, so there are a lot of these, like measles, hepatitis, diphtheria as well.
01:07 So, there are a lot that should be prevented.
01:09 Now, speaking of adolescents, this is the age group that belongs roughly around 10 years old to 19 years old.
01:17 Now, why is our focus for adolescents for awareness now?
01:22 Actually, our emphasis is still to complete the childhood vaccines, but there are vaccines that are waning over time.
01:34 So, we want adolescents to get that booster for continuous protection and also additional vaccines for protection from that age group.
01:44 Okay, so continuous protection.
01:46 We're assuming that when they're newborn, their vaccination is correct and complete.
01:51 Now, let's talk about what vaccines are important, especially when the child is already an adolescent.
01:57 Okay, so for adolescents, since continuation of vaccination, we give tetanus, diphtheria.
02:06 We also give boosters for hepatitis, varicella, and also, additionally, our cervical cancer vaccine, HPV vaccine.
02:16 Okay, now, as we all know, Dr. Janice, one of the biggest hurdles for vaccine compliance is that of vaccine hesitancy.
02:26 So, how is the DOH addressing this?
02:29 Well, that's one of our problems.
02:32 Since time immemorial, people know that childhood vaccines are just for babies, but we are changing that.
02:40 Our Health Promotion Bureau is doing a lot of stuff for promotion of vaccine across the life course.
02:48 So, it's not just for babies.
02:50 It's also for adolescents, for pregnant women, and for adults and elderly.
02:54 That's great, Dr. Janice.
02:56 So, now, how do we promote that life course journey when it comes to immunization, vaccination?
03:01 Yeah, the Health Promotion Bureau has this "Vacuna Champions Playbook."
03:08 They are giving it to our health workers so that they know how to address if there is vaccine hesitancy.
03:15 Also, we do capacity building, and then we also do promotion like this one for Adolescent Immunization Week.
03:22 We have Kapihan sessions.
03:24 For World Immunization Week, we also have other activities to promote.
03:28 That's a great program.
03:30 That's great information.
03:31 And for all the parents out there, if you have any questions or doubts on what your child should be getting,
03:37 talk to your pediatrician or your health center for the up-to-date information when it comes to vaccine.
03:42 Thank you so much, Dr. Janice, for joining us here on New Day and sharing that information.
03:46 Thank you also for having me here.
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