CEBU CITY, April 4 -- The Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas vowed to hold massive vaccinations to combat pertussis in the region.

Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Canal, head of the Regional Epidemiologist of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit-7, noted that the pertussis outbreak occurred due to low vaccination rates against the vaccine-preventable disease.

"I hope mothers see that vaccine really works, and they could see the increase in cases or the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. This is also an awakening for them to go to the Rural Health Units to get immunized and bring their children," she said in a statement Thursday.

Canal attributed the resurgence of pertussis to low vaccination since 2018.

Pertussis, ...