DBPH Admin2 
OIC – Undersecretary of Health Gloria J. Balboa and DOH – Iloco Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco leads the ceremonial vaccination of children and senior citizens during the launching of the “The Big Catch-up: Mas Pina-Igting na Pagbabakuna sa Region 1″ at the Balon Bayambang Events Center in Bayambang, Pangasinan on November 28, 2024
TO further increase the immunization coverage of children in the Ilocos Region, the Department of Health (DOH) launched an intensified campaign dubbed as “The Big Catch-up: Mas Pina-Igting na Pagbabakuna sa Region 1″ at the Balon Bayambang Events Center in Bayambang, Pangasinan on November 28, 2024 which will provide Routine Immunization for 0-23 months, and Bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization for 24-59 months children”.
Guest of Honor and OIC – Undersecretary of Health Gloria J. Balboa encouraged all stakeholders including local government units to aim for the achievement of 95% immunization coverage in Ilocos to protect the 90,000 zero-dose children in the region.
“Since the start of the campaign there is 4% to 8% percentage point increase in fully immunized child coverage recorded. Kami po ay patuloy na nakikiusap sa lahat na bakunahan at kumpletuhin ang bakuna ng lahat ng mga batang edad 0-59 months upang lahat ay maproteksyonan laban sa iba’t-ibang sakit.”
“We have been vaccinating the population for 40 years at napatunayan po nating ang mga routine vaccination po na gaya ng measles at polio ay nakakapagligtas ng buhay. Kaya’t pumunta po tayo sa ating mga health center at dalhin ang ating mga anak, isama na rin natin ang ating mga senior citizen upang sila rin ay mabakunan para sa kanilang proteksyon,” Balboa stated.
To support the campaign, the regional office released a Regional Circular 2024-001, providing “Interim Localized Guidelines on the Implementation of Intensified Routine Immunization for Target Population which aims to increase the fully immunized child (FIC) coverage to 95% and to reduce the number of the zero-dose children in the region. This initiative is aligned with the department’s 8-Point Action Agenda, which aims to build a healthier, safer, and more resilient population.
In 2023, only 71% or 74,390 infants were fully immunized in region placing it at risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). In its partial report as of September 30, 2024, DOH disclosed a total of 45.92% (47,882) FIC coverage accomplishment for Region 1.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco said that with all agencies and stakeholders support, the 95% target will be achieved. “Pagtulungan po natin na ibigay ang proteksiyon na kinakailangan ng ating mga anak. Lahat po ng bakuna na binibigay ng DOH ay ligtas, de-kalidad at libre. And we now have vaccines to prevent life-threatening diseases helping people of all ages to live healthier and longer.”
“The Big Catch Up campaign also aims to reach unvaccinated children and raise awareness on the importance of vaccination among population,” she added.
A total of 400 target population were given various vaccines including infants (6 weeks to 12 mos) with BCG, Hepatitis B, bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine (bOPV),𝘗𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 vaccine, 𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘰 vaccine, 𝘱𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘮𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘫𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦 vaccine, 𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘰 vaccine, and 𝘔𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘴–𝘔𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘴–𝘙𝘶𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 (𝘔𝘔𝘙) vaccine; students (𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 1 to 7) with 𝘔𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘴–𝘙𝘶𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 vaccine 𝘢𝘵 𝘛𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘴–𝘥𝘪𝘱𝘩𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢 vaccine; Female 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 4 studens with 𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘶𝘴 (𝘏𝘗𝘝) vaccine; pregnant women with 𝘛𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘴–𝘥𝘪𝘱𝘩𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢 vaccine; and senior citizens with 𝘗𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘮𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘤𝘢𝘭 vaccine and 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘻𝘢 vaccine.
