San juan city: The Department of Health - Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) and the San Juan City government have ramped up local vaccination efforts as part of the World Immunization Week 2026 celebrations. The initiative, held at the Makabagong San Juan Theater, aims to spread awareness about the benefits of vaccines and bolster public trust in the country's immunization programs.

According to Philippines News Agency, this effort coincides with the 50th anniversary of the national immunization program in the Philippines. The DOH has adopted the theme 'Bakuna at Proteksyon ni Baby, My Responsibility,' emphasizing the joint responsibility of parents and communities to safeguard children. The primary goal is achieving a 95 percent full immunization rate for children aged zero to 59 months against diseases such as measles, polio, and rubella.

DOH-MMCHD Regional Director Lester Tan highlighted that immunization remains one of the most effective and cost-efficient public health interventions. He emphasized that vaccines have saved millions of lives worldwide and continue to prevent disease spread and protect public health.

The event offered various health services, including routine and catch-up immunization for infants aged 0 to 12 months, with a broader focus on children up to 23 months old. Additional services included Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations for grade 4 students and tetanus-diphtheria (Td) shots for pregnant women.

The DOH's main focus for the 2026 campaign is reaching "zero-dose children," or those who have not received any routine vaccines. By enhancing routine immunization at the barangay (village) level, the DOH and San Juan local government aim to bridge the gap in vaccination coverage and ensure a healthier future for the next generation of Filipinos.