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Anti-tetanus vaccine is not birth control, DOH clarifies


A surprised Health Secretary Enrique Ona on Saturday belied an anti-RH group’s claim that the government’s tetanus toxoid vaccination drive is a form of birth control. Ona also ordered an investigation into how the rumor spread, even as he admitted he had no inkling about the issue until now. “Hindi totoo yan at walang katotohanan yan, di ko alam paano kinalat yan (That is simply not true. I do not know how those rumors spread)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. Besides, he said the tetanus treatment is given “kung kailangan (whenever needed)." Besides, he said the tetanus treatment is given “kung kailangan (whenever needed)." Earlier, so-called pro-life groups opposing government reproductive health programs questioned a Department of Education (DepEd) memorandum order that provides free tetanus toxoid vaccination to females 14 years old and above. Representing the Archdiocese of Davao, Judge Jesus Quitain questioned the order, which required the list of female students to be vaccinated to be submitted by August 23, 2010. "If the main purpose of the vaccination is for anti-tetanus, then why did they limit it to only 14 year-old and above females when even males are actually more prone to tetanus infection?" Quitain was quoted by the Philippine Information Agency in its report. According to the report, DOH Region XI health planning and medical specialist Dr. Racquel Montejo said the vaccination program is for women of reproductive age, who may be prone to neonatal death in childbirth. A rise in the number of pregnant women who do not undergo pre-natal check-ups is the supposed reason for the health department's campaign for tetanus toxoid vaccination. Dr. Baby Palabyab, a pro-life advocate, said the tetanus vaccine contains the chemical component human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). State-run Philippines News Agency quoted Palabyab as saying that while the vaccine may protect the human body from tetanus, it will not make one pregnant within 10 years. The claim prompted the DepEd, which is involved in the free tetanus toxoid vaccination project, to seek clarification from the DOH. “I don’t know who is spreading that. It is simply not true. I am surprised by the charges that the vaccination program is a form of birth control," Ona said in Filipino. — with a report by Carmela Lapeña/LBG/HS, GMANews.TV

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