Health Leaders Urge Timely Childhood Immunization in Iloilo

By Mariela Angella Oladive

With the school year underway, health experts and officials from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Provincial Health Office have urged parents and guardians to vaccinate their children immediately, as Iloilo province faces a dengue outbreak and other health risks, particularly during the rainy season.

During the Regional Health Connect Media Forum on August 30, the DOH Center for Health Development (CHD) Western Visayas reported that Iloilo’s current immunization coverage ranges between 60 to 70 percent, falling short of the 95 percent target necessary for community protection. As of July 2024, Iloilo province had achieved only 37.99 percent coverage, with Iloilo City at 38.85 percent.

Dr. Jose Atienza, Immunization Program Coordinator for DOH CHD Western Visayas, stressed the urgency of improving vaccine coverage and announced plans to resume a school-based immunization program in October. This initiative, in collaboration with local government units (LGUs) and the Department of Education (DepEd), will target Grade One and Grade Seven students for measles-rubella and tetanus-diphtheria vaccines.

“It is important to vaccinate our children because, once again, our vaccines are free, safe, and most effective,” Atienza said.

Dr. Rodney R. Labis, Provincial Health Officer I from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office, highlighted the need to strengthen local health systems to prevent and control diseases, calling for robust policies, funding support, and collaboration among agencies.

“By focusing on these strategies, we aim to fortify our local health systems to prevent and control diseases and outbreaks in schools and communities,” Labis emphasized.

Meanwhile, Teodoro Padilla, Executive Director of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), underscored the role of vaccination in safeguarding children and ensuring educational continuity.

“Vaccination is one of the most successful public health interventions. It is crucial to vaccinate children during this critical period to prevent school outbreaks, reduce absences, and ensure educational continuity,” Padilla said.

Dr. Lulu Bravo, Executive Director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV), and Dr. Hector Santos, President of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), also urged parents to prioritize immunization, warning that missed vaccinations pose serious risks to children’s health.

“There is nothing more vital than safeguarding children’s health with vaccines that prevent serious diseases,” Dr. Santos stated.

Dr. Bravo added that ensuring vaccine availability is crucial to meeting immunization goals.

“We can only achieve a high vaccination coverage rate if the vaccine supply is available at the health centers. Without the vaccine at the time of visit, it is always a missed opportunity to vaccinate,” she said.

The forum, organized by PHAP, PFV, and PMA, called for coordinated efforts between public and private sectors to close gaps in childhood vaccination and prevent further outbreaks in Iloilo.