Putting the spotlight on our kids' safety

As the rainy season sweeps across the country and our children return to school, the importance of child immunization has never been more urgent. Only a couple of months ago we all endured the terrible heat of El Niño. Now, almost every day, we are greeted with dim skies and frequent rain showers. In a country where extreme weather patterns trigger the spread of various illnesses, we are reminded of the crucial role that vaccines play in protecting the health and future of our children.

This year, the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines’ (PHAP) Regional Health Connect Media Forum has brought into sharp focus the growing threat posed by water-borne, influenza-like illnesses, leptospirosis, and dengue — referred to collectively as "W.I.L.D." diseases. These illnesses spike during the rainy season, especially in school environments, where children are more exposed. 

Serving as host of the Regional Health Connect Media Forum, I had the opportunity to see first-hand how health experts are stressing the life-saving importance of timely immunization, amid various reports of dengue outbreaks in Iloilo and other parts of Western Visayas.

For communities in regions like Western Visayas, the rainy season is a time of heightened risk. In addition to dengue, schools become breeding grounds for diseases like influenza, which can be easily prevented through vaccination. Yet, as the Department of Health (DOH) reports, immunization coverage in Iloilo lags, with some areas achieving only around 38% of their target.

The fact that there remains a huge gap between Iloilo's immunization coverage and the 95% target set by health officials sounds alarming. This coverage gap not only puts children at risk but also threatens to strain the healthcare system. Without the protective shield of vaccines, children are left vulnerable to preventable diseases that could hinder their education, weaken their immune systems, and, in some cases, prove fatal.

Vaccination is not merely a medical necessity; it is a moral obligation. As Dr. Hector Santos, President of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), aptly stated, “there is nothing more vital than safeguarding