MORE THAN being a matter of public health logistics, the battle against vaccine-preventable diseases in Iloilo Province is a fight against hesitancy, misinformation, and fear. Despite relentless efforts by the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) to encourage parents to have their children vaccinated, the province remains far from its 95% target for fully immunized children (FIC). In 2024, the province only reached 73.66%, a slight improvement from 68.46% in 2023, but still dangerously low.
This shortfall is a dangerous vulnerability that could trigger outbreaks of diseases like measles, polio, and diphtheria. Iloilo faces a ticking time bomb. Unless vaccine hesitancy is addressed with urgency, the province will continue to see preventable illnesses resurface, threatening the health of children and communities.
Vaccine hesitancy in Iloilo, as in many parts of the Philippines, is fueled by three major factors: misinformation, fear of side effects, and access barriers. The lingering effects of past controversies, such as the Dengvaxia scare, continue to erode public trust in vaccines. Despite clear scientific evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of childhood immunizations, many parents remain fearful and skeptical, influenced by misleading social media narratives and hearsay rather than factual health information. Some parents refuse or delay vaccinating their children due to concerns about potential side effects, even though vaccines undergo rigorous safety testing. This fear is often exacerbated by anecdotal reports, which spread faster than official health advisories.
Also, while immunization is offered for free, many families in remote areas lack access to barangay health centers or struggle with transportation issues. Parents who are daily wage earners may find it difficult to take time off work to bring their children for vaccination. Meanwhile, shortages in health workers and vaccination teams in some municipalities further limit outreach efforts.
Reversing vaccine hesitancy must go beyond simply offering vaccines and actively restore confidence in immunization programs. The government must bring vaccination drives directly to communities, particularly in areas with historically low coverage. Door-to-door immunization campaigns, such as those successfully implemented in some rural LGUs, must be scaled up. Health workers should be trained to address concerns in local dialects to ensure better understanding. Certainly, the IPHO, municipal health offices, and barangay health workers must intensify information campaigns that counter vaccine myths. Instead of waiting for misinformation to spread, health authorities should actively push factual, science-based messaging through radio, social media, and local gatherings. Testimonies from parents whose children were saved by vaccines can be powerful tools in changing perceptions.
Some municipalities that have successfully achieved high immunization rates have done so through local incentive programs — offering food packs, rice subsidies, or minor financial assistance to families who ensure their children are fully vaccinated. LGUs struggling with low vaccination coverage should explore similar initiatives.
The success stories of municipalities like San Enrique, Cabatuan, Barotac Nuevo, Tigbauan, and Miag-ao, which have exceeded the 95% immunization target, prove that Iloilo can turn things around. But this will only happen if local leaders step up their efforts and parents take their role in protecting their children seriously.
