A TikTok Breastfeeding Dance Challenge was also organized and was participated by pediatricians, as well as different HAB training hospitals of Central Visayas. Twelve entries were posted in the Facebook. Top 5 winners were announced during the culminating part of the virtual breastfeeding celebration.

A culminating Breastfeeding Lay Forum will also be held on August 28, 2021 at 2PM with guest speakers: Ms. Krystle Gail Uy-Young and Dr. Anna Christina Cusi. Another TikTok and Breastfeeding Photo Contests will be done and open to all breastfeeding mothers and netizens.

The said activities were organized though efforts of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø-CV Breastfeeding Committee, spearheaded by the chair, Dr. Ma. Claire G. Marollano and supported by the current ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø-CV Board of Officers. This is to emphasize the importance of breastfeeding as highly beneficial public health intervention for mothers and children on the First 1,000 Days. Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding is a shared resposibility of the family, community and other members of the society.

The Dr. Perla D. Santos Ocampo Professorial Lecture was one of the highlights of the convention. Dr. Carmencita Padilla, Chancellor of University of the Philippines Manila, delivered the lecture on ÁªPersonalized Medicine and Pharmacogenomics in Gastrointestinal Diseases”.ÌýThe other scientific lectures were delivered by the esteemed speakers that focused on providing updates on topics on gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition that are commonly encountered in the clinics. Dr. Vicente Belizario, Jr. was a guest speaker who shared his expertise on the facts of intestinal parasitism.Ìý The PSPGHAN speakers of the convention were a combination of senior and younger colleagues.

Resource materials such as Bristol stool chart, Stool color card, Pinggang Pinoy and the 2020 PSPGHAN Guidelines for Health Care Professionals on the Treatment of Acute Gastroenteritis with no signs of dehydration were posted and made accessible for the attendees.

The society also encourages participation of young scientists in the conduct of research. Twelve researches participated in the e-poster presentation. The best research was chosen to receive the first ÁªDr. Arturo Ludan Research Award”. A video tribute dedicated to honor one of the pillars of the Society, Dr. Ludan, was presented in the closing ceremonies.

The Organizing Committee was headed by Dr. Ma. Charina Dizon with the support from PSPGHAN President Dr. Marilou Tan and the Board of Trustees. The first virtual PSPGHAN Convention was a great success despite the challenges of the pandemic. The convention registration fee was waived to more than 5000 delegates who attended the virtual convention.

This article was shared by Dr. Sarabeth de Castro , a pediatric gastroenterologist and a member of the Philippine Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition .

Registration for the 57th Annual Convention has been extended up to November 9, 2020 Monday 11:59 PM. Please be informed that this is the FINAL DEADLINE for registration.

For members who have yet to register, please encode your details in the registration form, and confirm your registration BEFORE this deadline.

For non-members who have yet to register, please pay , send the payment slip , encode your details in the registration form, and confirm your registration BEFORE this deadline.

Please take note that ALL luncheon and twilight sessions remain CLOSED.

Kindly disseminate to all our colleagues .

57th ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø ANNUAL CONVENTION
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

VaccinationÌý has long been recognized as a proven preventive measure in the control and at best in the eradication of life -threatening infections . One perfect example is smallpox .

Immunization coverage rates forÌý vaccinesÌý against preventable diseases such asÌý diphtheria, polio, pertussis, Hib, rotavirus , tetanus , pneumococcalÌý and measles have plateaued and has never reached theÌý 95%Ìý target since its introduction in theÌý 1980`s in national immunization programsÌý , giving rise to outbreaks in certain regionsÌý globally. (1)

In the Philippines, coverage rates have sufferedÌý drastically in the last couple of years due to fears of vaccine safety, vaccineÌý misinformation and disinformation which has impacted on our public health programs.

The pandemic hasÌý further driven downÌý these rates at alarming levels leaving our children and the vulnerable susceptible to diseaseÌý and requiring targeted strategies.

It is in this direction that we urge our fellow pediatriciansÌý toÌý once again encourage their patients to have their catchup immunizationÌý and support the Department of Health`s Campaign against Measles and Polio .

Your TopÌý 3Ìý Safety Issues Answered

QUESTION 1 : Do vaccines undergo extensive investigation ?

Yes. The wholeÌý scientific process from development to manufacture and licensureÌý isÌý lengthy,Ìý thorough , respects ethical considerations and is alwaysÌý under the administration of regulatory authorities such as the FDA

QUESTION 2 : What is the purpose of clinical trials?

Clinical Trials involve human volunteers andÌý are conducted in 4 phases to ensure vaccine safety and effectiveness. (2)

4 Phases

Phase 1Ìý : Test ofÌý safety,Ìý efficacy, occurrence of serious side effects, size of dose related to side effects

Phase 2 : Test of most common short term side effects, response of immune system of volunteers to the vaccine

Phase 3Ìý : Test betweenÌýÌý people who get the vaccineÌý as opposed to thoseÌý who do not ,and howÌý they compare , vaccine safety , effectiveness ,Ìý and the more common side effects.

Phase 4: Involves continuous monitoring of safety and effectiveness after licensure for public use

QUESTION 3 : What are the possible harmful side effects of vaccines and can they cause illness and even death ?

ÌýÁªVaccines are actually very safe, despite implications to the contrary in many anti-vaccine publications. Most vaccine adverse events are minor and temporary, such as a sore arm or mild fever. These can often be controlled by taking paracetamol after vaccination. More serious adverse events occur rarely (on the order of one per thousands to one per millions of doses), and some are so rare that risk cannot be accurately assessed. As for vaccines causing death, again so few deaths can plausibly be attributed to vaccines that it is hard to assess the risk statistically.Â’(3)

References:

1.WUENIC-Immunization Coverage- are we losing ground . 2020

2.

3.https://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/initiative/detection/immunization_misconceptions

This has been prepared by the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Committee on Immunization.