THE RESURGENCE of pertussis, or whooping cough, in Western Visayas threatens to unravel decades of progress in disease prevention. The Department of Health (DOH) attributes this upsurge to notably low immunization coverage, a problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift of healthcare resources to combat the pandemic has inadvertently impacted routine immunizations, resulting in a significant drop in coverage rates across the region. It’s a reminder of the fragility of public health achievements in the face of declining vaccination rates.
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease known for its severe coughing fits and the distinctive “whooping” sound sufferers make when gasping for air. Its reappearance in a region previously well-protected by vaccination is a wake-up call to the importance of maintaining high immunization rates. According to DOH’s 2023 data, the routine immunization rate in Western Visayas was alarmingly low at 61.36 percent, a figure far below the threshold needed to maintain herd immunity against this dangerous infection.
The consequences of this decline in vaccine coverage are concerning. From January 1 to April 1, 2024, the region recorded 22 laboratory-confirmed cases of pertussis, with five resulting in death, alongside 46 probable cases. These numbers, while seemingly small, could herald the return of a disease once thought to be under control. The spread of pertussis, particularly among infants and children who are most vulnerable, poses a significant threat to public health and underscores the importance of vaccination in disease prevention.
This situation is further complicated by vaccine hesitancy among parents, a reluctance fueled by past controversies and misinformation surrounding vaccines. The fallout from the Dengvaxia controversy, where unfounded fears over vaccine safety led to a dramatic decline in vaccination rates, has adversely impacted public trust in vaccines. It’s crucial to understand that vaccine hesitancy is not an overnight phenomenon but the result of years of misinformation and fearmongering that have eroded public confidence in immunization programs.
The increase in pertussis cases calls for urgent action to restore vaccine confidence and coverage. Public health authorities, healthcare providers, and policymakers must address the roots of vaccine hesitancy, dispel myths surrounding vaccinations, and ensure that accurate, science-based information is accessible to all. Efforts to rebuild the public’s trust in vaccines must be prioritized to prevent further outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. And yes, pertussis, despite its current resurgence, is both treatable and preventable.
We must recognize the invaluable role vaccines play in preventing disease and death, and work together to restore confidence in one of public health’s most powerful tools.
