The Department of Health (DOH) has intensified its call to strengthen routine immunization efforts in Eastern Visayas, where only 62 percent of children were fully vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases last year.

DOH Eastern Visayas National Immunization Program (NIP) coordinator Chiradee Claridad said at a Thursday press briefing that the remaining 38 percent of children represent a growing number of “zero-dose” and under-immunized individuals who continue to miss essential health services.

“For many years, the immunization program has struggled to achieve the 95-percent coverage target, not only in the region but nationwide,” Claridad said, stressing that at least 95 percent coverage is needed to establish herd immunity and protect communities from disease outbreaks.

Health officials attributed the shortfall to a mix of systemic and behavioral challenges, including poor health-seeking behavior among some families, vaccine hesitancy, missed vaccination opportunities during health visits, and the difficulty of reaching geographically isolated communities.

The immunization program aims to avert vaccine-preventable diseases such as tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, and hepatitis B.

During the April 24, 2026 launch, a total of 2,529 children across the region were vaccinated, including 194 who were fully immunized, according to DOH. For this year, the health department is targeting to administer vaccines to 101,678 children in Eastern Visayas aged 0 to 12 months.

The immunization campaign also faces logistical constraints, weak tracking and monitoring systems, and shortages of human resources, which hinder efforts to reach all eligible children.

Formerly known as the Expanded Program on Immunization, the NIP is the DOH’s flagship public health initiative, providing free routine vaccines to protect children from preventable diseases and reduce illness and deaths.

Despite persistent challenges in meeting immunization targets, Claridad said the government remains committed to improving vaccine coverage.

“Immunization is non-negotiable. It is one of the priority strategic focuses of the current administration,” she said.

Immunization is among the DOH’s eight priority health programs, alongside nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, maternal health, tuberculosis and HIV control, road safety, and the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and cancer. (PNA)