Anne Curtis wants immunization prioritized vs measles outbreak

MANILA, Philippines — Proper immunization should be prioritized to combat the measles outbreak, actress-host Anne Curtis said on Thursday.

The new National Goodwill Ambassador for United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) made this statement following the declaration of measles outbreak in several regions by the Department of Health (DOH).

“Learning from the UNICEF family about the outbreak of the measles, you know, this is why it’s very important to have proper immunization,” Curtis said during an event by UNICEF.

Among the other efforts Curtis also wants to be upped are “dealing with the parents and healthcare workers and centers.”

The 33-year-old actress, a UNICEF celebrity advocate for children since 2014, emphasized all these “should be a priority because I understand that a lot of children are getting affected by the measles outbreak.”

DOH earlier declared a measles outbreak in Metro Manila following the 550 percent increase in patients contracting the virus from Jan. 1 to Feb. 6 this year compared with the same period last year.

READ: Measles outbreak in Metro Manila — DOH

The DOH also declared a measles outbreak in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon),  Mimaropa  (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) and Bicol.  /muf

READ: DOH raises measles ‘red flag’ in more regions after NCR outbreak