Bacolod city: The city government, through the City Health Office (CHO), has initiated a program offering free anti-rabies vaccines to senior citizens, indigent residents, and other marginalized and vulnerable groups. This initiative begins Thursday and aims to combat the increasing number of animal bite cases in the area.
According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Greg Gasataya has mandated the availability of these vaccines at no cost for priority sectors, following numerous cases reported by the CHO. The program is part of the city's commitment to protect its residents from rabies, ensuring equitable vaccine distribution.
The directive includes the administration of vaccines for Categories 2 and 3 patients at the CHO Animal Bite Treatment Center (ABTC). Data from January to June indicates 5,637 cases under Categories 1 and 2, and 1,088 under Category 3, highlighting the need for post-exposure prophylaxis.
The CHO classifies patients based on exposure severity. Category 3 patients, eligible for the PhilHealth animal bite treatment (ABT) package, require a standard purified chick embryo cell (PCEC) vaccine or purified vero rabies vaccine (PVRV), with equine rabies immunoglobulin (ERIG). Category 2 patients, not covered by PhilHealth, need only the PCEC or PVRV vaccination.
The mayor's directive also includes free tetanus vaccines for Categories 2 and 3, ensuring no treatment delays pending claims. Gasataya has asked the CHO to submit quarterly reports to the city administrator, detailing consultations and reclassifications, along with a PhilHealth claims dashboard.
PhilHealth provides an ABT package covering rabies-related services at accredited providers, costing PHP5,850. This package includes vaccine, immune globulin, wound care, tetanus toxoid, anti-tetanus serum, antibiotics, and supplies for post-exposure prophylaxis.
