CPHO: Dumanjug infant’s death not linked to MR vaccine

Local

THE death of a seven-month-old infant in Dumanjug was determined to have no direct link to the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine administered to the child, the Cebu Provincial Health Office (CPHO) said Thursday, Sept. 17.

Lorraine Gemperoso, National Immunization Program coordinator of the CPHO, said health authorities investigated the case after the infant died last month.

The findings were presented to a regional adverse events following immunization (AEFI) surveillance meeting, where pediatricians and other medical specialists reviewed the investigation.

“Ang atong findings ato, coincidental ra gyud siya, not directly related to the vaccine,” Gemperoso said during the Higustan Ta! Media Forum.

She said a similar conclusion was reached in the case of another patient in Danao City who died after receiving a vaccination. The patient, she said, had an underlying medical condition.

The Dumanjug Municipal Health Office (MHO) had earlier clarified that there was no official evidence showing that the MR vaccine caused or contributed to the infant’s death.

The child was vaccinated on Aug. 10 after undergoing health screening, including temperature and vital-sign checks. The caregiver gave consent before the vaccine was administered, and post-vaccination instructions were provided.

On Aug. 23, the child developed diarrhea and vomiting, followed by fever the next day. The family sought medical attention, and the case was reported to the Department of Health’s Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit on Aug. 25 for investigation.

A joint team from the DOH, CPHO and Dumanjug MHO later conducted a case investigation at the local primary care facility and visited the family. Authorities also collected a household water sample as part of the investigation.

Mayor urges evidence-based accountability

Dumanjug Mayor Guntrano “Gungun” Gica said the child’s death warranted answers but stressed that accountability must be established through evidence and due process.

Gica also defended the decision to display the infant’s photograph at the town’s birthing facility, saying it was intended as a memorial and a reminder of the importance of protecting mothers and children.

“As a father, it hurts deeply to lose a daughter. No parent should ever have to experience such pain,” Gica said.

Cebu vaccination rate remains low

The investigation comes amid concerns over Cebu’s low MR vaccination coverage.

Only 21.2% of the province’s target children were reached during this year’s MR Supplemental Immunization Activity, compared with about 90% in 2023.

The Aug. 10 to Sept. 4 campaign covered children aged six months to 59 months and included Vitamin A supplementation.

CPHO officials attributed the low turnout partly to vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, warning that inadequate coverage could leave children vulnerable to measles and complications such as pneumonia.

The provincial health office plans to strengthen community education, train health workers to address parents’ concerns and expand house-to-house vaccination efforts.(MyTVCebu)