Immunization in the Philippines Through the Years: Where Do We Stand?

How did the Filipinos’ perception on vaccination change over the years? What are the possible reasons behind vaccine hesitancy? Learn more about the immunization program in the Philippines here. 

History of Immunization in the Philippines

The Expanded Program on Immunization in the Philippines was launched in 1976. But Filipinos began receiving shots against some infectious diseases decades before the program. 

According to UNICEF, during the 1950s, they carried out immunization against contagious illnesses like tuberculosis and yaws, a bacterial infection that primarily affects the skin, joints, and bones. 

In the 1970s, the Department of Health, with the help of the World Health Organization and UNICEF, launched the Expanded Program on Immunization. The program included vaccines for polio, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, and tetanus. 

This program also includes vaccines for influenza, pneumonia, and hepatitis. On top of inoculation, the program also monitors the coverage of the campaigns and the incidence and mortality of vaccine-preventable diseases in the country. 

Filipinos’ Perception of Immunization Through the Years

While it’s challenging to review how the Filipinos’ perception on immunization has changed through the years, we can assess the vaccines’ coverage. 

A decade after the launching of EPI, in 1986, the government made a comprehensive review of the program. Results of the review indicated that the “coverage was still less than optimal.”

Just three years later, in 1989, they reached their immunization goal of 90%. 

Considering that the country reached its goal, one can say that Filipinos had accepted immunization at this point. However, the milestone would not be consistent. 

Authorities noted that immunization coverage in the Philippines goes through large fluctuations. There were periods when it increased and times when it declined. In comparison, this pattern is unlike our neighboring ASEAN countries who experienced increased immunization coverage and maintenance of these levels. 

Overview of Vaccine Coverage in the Country

To give context to the fluctuations in coverage, please refer to the following details provided by the National Demographic and Health Survey in 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2017. 

• In 2008, the percentage of children aged 12 to 23 months with all basic vaccinations was 79.5%. Come 2017, it dropped to 69.9%. 
• In 2013, the percentage of children aged 12 to 23 months who DIDN’T receive any vaccine was just 3.9%. But, just 5 years later, it increased to 9.4%. 
• Some children received the first dose of the measles vaccine, but failed to get the 2nd shot. 
• In 2019, the Philippines experienced a polio outbreak after being declared polio-free for almost 2 decades. 

Reasons for Weak or Inconsistent Performance of the Expanded Program on Immunization

Given the fluctuations in immunization coverage, it would be helpful to understand why some people opt to not get vaccinated. Reports say there are mainly 3 factors relating to supply, demand, and context. 

• Supply-related factors point to the availability of vaccines, readiness of the facility, funds to sustain programs, and human resources. 
• Demand-related factors refer to the intent of the person (caregiver) to receive the vaccine. 
• Contextual factors pertain to issues, such as affordability, accessibility of the facility, and acceptability of the immunization in their culture. 

Other studies (not in the Philippines) also noted that some of the reasons why people refuse immunization is due to:

• Lack of knowledge
• Religious taboos
• Perception about the child’s body and immune system
• Side effects
• Perceived risk of associated diseases
• Prior negative experience in vaccination
• Perceived benefits of still experiencing the disease

Learn more about Vaccination here.