Boosting Child Vaccine Rates Needs Bold Steps

The persistent failure of Iloilo province to hit its Fully Immunized Child (FIC) target is a ticking public health time bomb.

Despite improvements—from 63% in 2022 to 74% in 2024—the numbers still trail the Department of Health’s 95% benchmark.

While five towns hit the target last year, most remain far below, with Estancia posting a worrisome 44.22%.

Health officials cited three main hurdles: vaccine hesitancy, geographic inaccessibility, and population-based technicalities.

All are valid concerns. But they are not insurmountable.

Vaccine hesitancy, although declining, continues to be rooted in misinformation, fear, and religious or personal beliefs.

To counter this, the provincial government must aggressively partner with schools, churches, media outlets, and barangay leaders to mount community-based education drives.

These campaigns should not only debunk vaccine myths but also highlight the benefits of immunization through real-life stories and data.

Health workers must also be trained as communicators, not just vaccinators.

They are the most trusted sources of health information in far-flung barangays.

Meanwhile, the geographic challenges raised by the Iloilo Provincial Health Office deserve urgent innovation.

Deploying mobile vaccination vans or boats in hard-to-reach areas should no longer be treated as an exception but institutionalized as a monthly operation.

Local governments can use disaster preparedness equipment, such as service vehicles or boats, during immunization rounds.

Some areas also have trained barangay health workers who could be deputized to assist in basic vaccination delivery, provided they are properly supervised and equipped.

The problem of a shrinking under-one population due to increased contraceptive use and declining births is a demographic reality.

However, this should not excuse failure.

Instead, local health offices should consider adjusting their tracking and target-setting systems to reflect real population trends, rather than projected estimates.

That said, the importance of childhood vaccination must be emphasized beyond the numbers.

Vaccines are not just medical tools—they are shields. They prevent diseases that can permanently harm or kill children, particularly in poor or remote areas where hospital access is limited.

Each missed child is a missed opportunity to prevent illness and break the cycle of poverty.

The provincial government, municipal leaders, and even the private sector must regard child immunization as an essential service, not an optional campaign.

Integrating vaccination schedules into other government programs—like feeding programs, daycare registration, or even family cash assistance—can dramatically improve access and turnout.

Finally, this issue is not Iloilo’s alone. It is a mirror reflecting the broader problem of health equity in the Philippines.

We can’t allow the country’s gains in public health to be undone by apathy, miscommunication, or poor planning.

The goal is clear: no child should grow up vulnerable to diseases we already know how to prevent.

Let’s get the shots done.