ILOILO City – The Department of Health (DOH) aims to administer pentavalent vaccine to 160,897 children aged zero to 12 months across Western Visayas this year, in an effort to protect them against vaccine-preventable diseases pertussis, diptheria, tetanus, Hepatitis B, and Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b).
According to DOH Region 6, out of the target group, only 28,230 children, or 19.08 percent, have received the vaccine from January 1 to March 31.
The region still needs to vaccinate an additional 132,667 children by the end of the year.
Dr. Jose Martin Atienza, regional coordinator for the National Immunization Program at DOH-6, said children are to receive three doses of the vaccine, with the first dose at six weeks, the second at 10 weeks, and the third at 14 weeks.
In 2023, 110,086 children in Iloilo received their first dose of the vaccine, and 109,871 completed all three doses.
Atienza highlighted the importance of reaching a 95 percent vaccination rate among the projected population to achieve herd immunity.
Herd immunity, also known as community immunity, is a form of indirect protection from infectious diseases that occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population has become immune to an infection, whether through vaccination or through previous infections, thereby reducing the likelihood of infection for individuals who lack immunity.
Herd immunity helps to protect those who cannot be vaccinated, such as newborns or those with compromised immune systems.
As part of its strategy to meet this goal, the DOH has prioritized immunization as its top health program under Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. The region has planned several activities to boost immunization coverage, including an intensive catch-up immunization campaign with local government units from March to July. Within this period is the World Immunization Week, from April 24 to April 30.
This April 23, DOH-6 will conduct immunization in Santa Barbara, Iloilo. There are around 200 expected participants.
Atienza urged parents and caregivers of children aged zero to 12 months to visit their nearest health center to avail of the recommended vaccines.
He also advised that children over two years old who have not completed their doses should see a private physician to get a booster shot.
The region faces challenges with vaccine supply, as the procurement and transport processes can be lengthy. Atienza mentioned that all vaccine stock allocated to the region has been distributed to local government units for routine immunization since January 2024.
Following confirmation of pertussis cases in the region, DOH-6 requested additional pentavalent vaccines from its central office. Iloilo City received 6,000 vials last week to aid in outbreak response.
Atienza also revealed that the region is expediting the purchase of vaccines worth P2 million.
From January 1 to April 14, 2024, the region has recorded 45 confirmed cases of pertussis, with four fatalities.
The cases are distributed as follows: one each in Antique and Guimaras, 21 in Iloilo with three deaths, six each in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, and 10 in Iloilo City with one death./PN
