Filipinos urged to avail of routine vaccination
SEN. Bong Go said the immunization rate in the country must improve to arrest the spread of preventable diseases.
«Rather than spending on medications, it is better to avoid the disease altogether. The vaccine is provided for free by the government, so there is no reason not to get vaccinated,» the senator added.
Go issued the remark after the Department of Health (DOH) reported that the Philippines fell short of its full immunization coverage target for 2024, with only 61 percent of children receiving all recommended doses of routine vaccines.
The DOH warned that low vaccination coverage could lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases such as measles, polio and diphtheria.
Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said building more Super Health Centers was also crucial in providing primary care, consultation, and early disease detection at the community level.
«With Super Health Centers, you no longer have to travel far to see a doctor. Free consultations, check-ups, and other medical services are now available close to the barangay (village),» he added.