Last week, I attended a Chinese New Year party held at the Mango Tree Bistro in Trinoma but it ended up as a scandalous one, though in the end they revealed that it is only an act for the topic they needed to dicuss for us that night. I will not emphasize the act but I will focus more on the important message they shared to us which is all about Rota-virus.
Rotavirus is the leading cause of diarrhea in the Philippines and worldwide. Every minute, 1 child dies of diarrhea worldwide. In the Philippines, at least 13 children under the age of five dies every day. Recurrent diarrhea may lead to long term effects of a child’s development in terms of height, Energy Levels and Cognitive abilities. It is highly contagious and stable in the environment. It can survive on hands for hours; on solid surfaces for days and remains stable and infective in stools for a week.
In recent months, Secretary Enrique Ona of the Department of Health has announced to media its intention to include Rotavirus Vaccination as part of the Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI) in 2012. This is aligned to PNoy’s direction and goal of Universal Health Care and moves the Philippines forward in achieving Millennium Development Goal #4 (Reduce Child Mortality) by 2015.
Rotavirus Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent diarrhea related childhood deaths under 5 years of age. It is considered as one of the greatest public health achievements in the world. World Health Organization’s (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) recommends that Rota-virus Vaccines be included in all national immunization programs, particularly in countries like the Philippines. ROTAVIRUS VACCINE is best given to babies as early as 6 weeks old up to 8 months of age. It is administered orally with 2-3 doses, depending on the brand: GlaxoSmithKline’s RotaRix is given in 2 doses.
As of now GSK’s rotavirus vaccine is currently licensed in more than 100 countries around the world and sold in 62 countries. It has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and is the only rotavirus vaccine that received a pre-qualification status by the World Health Organization. In the Philippines, GSK’s live oral rotavirus vaccine is registered and approved by Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD). It is the only two-dose oral rotavirus vaccine that provides early protection to infants by 3 months of age.”
