DOH steps up vaccination drive in remote Eastern Visayas areas

Posted on May 29, 2026 at 11:00 am

Tacloban City – Health officials in Eastern Visayas are calling for stronger vaccination efforts, especially in remote communities where many children continue to miss routine immunization.

The Department of Health (DOH) said only 62 percent of children in the region were fully vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases last year, lower than the 95-percent target needed for community protection.

DOH Eastern Visayas National Immunization Program coordinator Chiradee Claridad said many children remain unvaccinated or incomplete in their doses because of several problems affecting the program.

“For many years, the immunization program has struggled to achieve the 95-percent coverage target, not only in the region but nationwide,” Claridad said during a press briefing Thursday.

Among the problems identified by health officials were vaccine hesitancy, poor health-seeking behavior among some families, and missed vaccination opportunities during visits to health centers.

Health workers also continue to face difficulties in reaching geographically isolated communities where access to transportation and health services remains limited.

The DOH said shortages in manpower, weak monitoring systems, and logistical concerns also affect the delivery of vaccines in some areas.

Routine immunization protects children from diseases such as tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, and hepatitis B.

During the launch of the region’s immunization campaign on April 24, some 2,529 children received vaccines, including 194 who completed their required doses.

This year, the DOH is targeting to vaccinate 101,678 children aged 0 to 12 months in Eastern Visayas.

Despite the low coverage, Claridad said the government will continue to strengthen the immunization program.

“Immunization is non-negotiable. It is one of the priority strategic focuses of the current administration,” she said.

The National Immunization Program provides free vaccines for children to help prevent diseases and reduce illnesses and deaths among infants and young children.

Photo courtesy: DOH 8