TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Health(DOH) in Eastern Visayas (DOH-8) is ramping up efforts to boost infant immunization coverage, urging parents to have their children aged 0 to 23 months vaccinated to protect them from preventable diseases.
Regional Director Exuperia Sabalberino made the call during the regional launch of the government’s national immunization program in Alang-alang, Leyte, where more than 80 infants received vaccines from local health personnel.
Sabalberino also encouraged fathers to actively participate during their children’s immunization, stressing that their presence helps them better understand post-vaccination care, including how to respond to possible fever.
“Posible an bata magkahiranat katima han immunization kasi nga nare-react an body hit bata. Karuyag sidngun, maupay ito nga immune response hit bata, kaya importante nga an mga tatay mahibaro,” she said.
She clarified that while World Immunization Week is observed from April 24 to 30, vaccination services remain available year-round in rural health units (RHUs) and barangay health stations.
“We have regular schedules for immunization at our RHUs and barangay health stations,” Sabalberino said.
The health official emphasized that achieving the program’s targets requires strong support from parents and communities.
For this year, the DOH aims to immunize at least 95 percent of the infant population against vaccine-preventable diseases such as tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, and hepatitis B.
During the April 24 launch, a total of 2,529 children across the region were vaccinated, including 194 who were fully immunized, according to DOH-8.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
