THE Davao City Health Office (CHO) reported low vaccination rates among children despite intensified efforts through the School-Based Immunization (SBI) program.
Dr. Analiza S. Malubay, City Coordinator for the National Immunization Program, cited vaccine hesitancy as a significant barrier, largely influenced by misinformation circulating on social media. She emphasized the importance of barangay health workers in disseminating accurate information to reassure parents about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
Dr. Joy A. Espina, CHO Talomo North in-charge and child health coordinator said that many parents mistakenly believe their children do not need boosters.
“Wala nila nakita nga nagahatag ta ug booster kay ang bakuna natu nagababa ang immunity as time goes by (They didn’t realize that we are giving boosters because the immunity from our vaccines decreases over time),” she said during the ISpeak media forum, on Thursday morning, January 16, 2025, at the City Mayor’s Office (CMO).
Espina reiterated that the vaccines have a long history of being safe and effective.
The vaccination campaign results across the districts showed varying success rates. In the first district, the target was to vaccinate 9,378 Grade 1 students against measles, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria, but only 3,041 students were vaccinated, reaching 42 percent of the goal. The HPV vaccination target for Grade 4 female students was 4,561, but just 1,410 received the vaccine, or 31 percent. For Grade 7 students, only 3,829 of the 10,796 targeted were vaccinated, representing 35 percent.
In the second district, 41 percent of the 10,255 Grade 1 students received vaccinations, while 33 percent of the 5,091 targeted Grade 4 female students were vaccinated for HPV. Additionally, 3,117 of the 9,219 Grade 7 students were immunized against measles, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria.
Meanwhile, in the third district, 46 percent of the 11,182 Grade 1 students received their vaccinations. For Grade 4 female students, 40 percent of the 5,560 targeted were vaccinated for HPV. Lastly, 46 percent of the 11,075 Grade 7 students received their vaccinations.
Overall, the vaccination campaign has reached 12,360 Grade 1 students out of the 30,795 targeted, or 40 percent. For Grade 4 female students, 5,324 out of 15,212, or 25 percent, were vaccinated. Meanwhile, 12,127 of the 31,090 targeted Grade 7 students, or 39 percent, received the measles, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria vaccines.
Dr. Malubay noted that the original vaccination target for September to December 2024 was not met, leading to an extension until January 2025. The low turnout prompted CHO to conduct mass vaccination drives in malls to reach unvaccinated students. The office aims for a 95 percent vaccination rate to achieve herd immunity.
She urged parents of Grade 1, 4, and 7 students, particularly those in private schools, to ensure their children get vaccinated, emphasizing that the vaccines are free.
Vaccination sessions will be held at Ayala Malls Abreeza on January 18-19 and 25-26; GMall Bajada on January 21; and SM Lanang on January 23-24. Flu vaccines will also be available but in limited quantities.
If the mall efforts don’t reach enough students, the CHO will work with the Department of Education (DepEd) to speak with parents during the first Parent-Teacher General Assembly of the school year 2025, highlighting the importance of vaccinations.
Additionally, Espina said that the CHO is exploring partnerships with barangay officials and purok leaders to further encourage community participation. RGP