HEAD to DOH: More dialogue, more action, more accountability

Press release: February 8, 2018

The "sudden" loss of trust in the government immunization program or rapid drop in children getting immunization is not just solely due to Dengvaxia, the Public Attorneys Office pronouncements, or even poorly informed/opinionated media slant. This may have been long time coming and the government just refused to acknowledge the signs.

For decades, the government immunization program has been implemented with little informed consent and no real information given to the public. Proper information has not been disseminated, so it has become very easy for the public to be convinced with poor or even wrong information, just like what is happening now.

If fears of the public are still not being assuaged, the Department of Health needs to do more, reach out more, and ensure that from the smallest health center to the biggest hospital, all are prepared to meet the needs of Dengvaxia children.

The people are waiting for doctors to talk to them and not just talk among themselves. If the public cannot hear our doctors, then the message might not be getting across. Perhaps it's not even what people need to hear.

In short, only by being forthcoming and acknowledging the pros and cons of vaccines will it be possible to regain public trust. More correct information through sincere dialogues at the grassroots level will be key, rather than just proclaiming expertise. Unless the DOH does more to serve and engage the people, fear and anxiety will continue to fester.##