Statement | 9 April 2024

Even as Pertussis (Filipino: Ubong Dalahit, o Tusperina) cases are rising, the Department of Health (DOH) assures the public that outbreak response immunization is underway. National government pentavalent (“5-in-1”) vaccine stocks – reported at 64,400 doses last March 25 – are running low. Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa has ordered that other options such as Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP) shall be used to prevent gaps while waiting for the new batch of 3 million pentavalent vaccines. Meanwhile, the Philippine market continues to have stocks of pentavalent and TDaP vaccines in the private sector.

Data from January 1 to March 30, 2024 show a total of 1,112 cases since the start of the year (almost 34 times that of the same period last year, at only 32 cases), with 54 deaths recorded. The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office in the Western Pacific (WPRO) already confirmed last April 5, 2024 that Measles and Pertussis are concerns of many countries, because the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns hampered routine vaccination.

In the past six weeks, the following regions showed a continuous increase in the number of cases: Eastern Visayas, Cagayan Valley, CARAGA, Central Luzon, and Cordillera Autonomous Region. (For purposes of outbreak response, data on the growth rate of cases is more pertinent to the DOH compared to the total number of cases, per given area.) Of the total Pertussis cases thus far recorded, 77% were less than 5 years old. Adults aged 20 and older account for only around 4% of cases.

The DOH is cautious in interpreting trends. The number of cases may still change as there may be late consultations and reports. Furthermore, the effects of increasing immunization efforts to stem the outbreak may not be seen in the data until 4-6 weeks after they are started.

“We anticipate a shortage in government pentavalent vaccine supply by May, and this is the gap we are now addressing. We will have another type of vaccine, the DTP – Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis. Also, there are pentavalent and TDaP vaccines available for purchase in the private sector; there is no physical shortage. We will welcome any offers of support and assistance from our private sector partners,” said Health Secretary Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa.