CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — The Department of Health (DOH) Central Luzon Center for Health Development (CLCHD) reported an increase in the region’s child immunization coverage, reflecting intensified efforts to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
DOH CLCHD Child Health Medical Coordinator Divina Rae Bermudez said the region’s fully immunized child (FIC) coverage increased to 77 percent in 2024, slightly higher than the 76 percent recorded in the previous year.
The figure represents around 196,000 children who completed the government’s standard immunization package before reaching one year old.
Under the FIC program, children must complete vaccines against tuberculosis, hepatitis B, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, and rubella within their first year.
“Dapat po makumpleto ng bata ang isang set ng bakuna bago mag-isang taon upang magkaroon sila ng sapat na proteksyon laban sa mga sakit,” Bermudez said.
DOH CLCHD said improving immunization coverage remains one of the priorities of the Marcos administration’s healthcare agenda, which aims to strengthen preventive healthcare and ensure healthier lives for Filipinos.
Despite the increase, the agency acknowledged that the region remains below the national target of 95% immunization coverage needed to achieve herd immunity.
Bermudez explained that herd immunity helps protect children who cannot receive vaccines due to medical conditions by limiting the spread of infectious diseases within communities.
“Kapag marami pong nababakunahan, nagkakaroon tayo ng proteksyon hindi lamang para sa nabakunahan kundi pati sa mga batang hindi maaaring bakunahan dahil sa kondisyon nila,” she noted.
Among the challenges identified by the department are the region’s large and highly mobile population, particularly in Bulacan, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija, as well as shortages in healthcare workers and barangay health workers.
To address these concerns, DOH continues to strengthen community-based vaccination strategies through the Purok Kalusugan initiative, aligned with the administration’s push to bring healthcare services closer to communities.
Under the initiative, healthcare teams composed of doctors, nurses, midwives, and barangay health workers conduct community visits to provide vaccination and other child health services.
Barangay health workers also help identify children due for vaccination, remind parents of schedules, and coordinate with families in their communities.
“Malaki ang kontribusyon ng ating barangay health workers dahil sila ang direktang nag-uugnay sa mga pamilya at health centers,” Bermudez said.
Meanwhile, she also encouraged parents to visit local health centers and barangay health stations to complete their children’s routine immunization schedules and avail themselves of free healthcare services. (CLJD/MJSC, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)
