URGENT NEED The health department is still awaiting the delivery of 3 million doses of pentavalent (5-in-1) vaccine that it acquired through the United Nations International Children's Fund. In addition to pertussis, vaccines protect against diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type B. —LYN RILLON
House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin on Thursday urged parents to vaccinate their children against hepatitis B to protect them from liver cancer and possibly an outbreak by 2042.
The Iloilo representative and former health secretary stressed the need for children to receive three doses of the vaccine, saying that approximately 30 percent of unvaccinated people who contract hepatitis B could end up developing hepatocellular carcinoma, a deadly type of liver cancer.
READ: Vax kids vs hepatitis B to prevent liver cancer outbreak, parents urged
Garin noted the decline in the government's promotion of its vaccination programs, including for hepatitis B, following allegations of child deaths resulting from vaccines.
“What is the consequence? The effect for unvaccinated children who contract hepatitis B is that, possibly by 2042 or 2045, many will have liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma in the Philippines,” she said.
The lawmaker cited the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2024 Global Hepatitis Report, which listed the Philippines among countries contributing two-thirds of the global burden of disease caused by hepatitis B and C. The others were Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and Pakistan.
Deaths on the rise
The report, based on data from 187 countries, showed that the estimated number of deaths from viral hepatitis increased from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2022, with 254 million people living with hepatitis B and C across the world. world.
According to the WHO, 83 percent of deaths were caused by hepatitis B, with 3,500 people worldwide dying daily from hepatitis B and C infections.
READ: One in seven Filipinos has 'hyperendemic' hepatitis B
The Department of Health ranks liver cancer as the third most prevalent type of cancer among Filipinos.
Garin further noted that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified hepatitis B as a serious illness caused by a virus that attacks the liver.
Unable to save your signature. Please try again.
Your subscription was successful.
She pointed out that the CDC recommends the hepatitis B vaccine for infants, children or teens under age 19 who have not been vaccinated.
