PSA-7: Only half of children in Region 7 are fully vaccinated

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ONLY about half of children in Central Visayas are fully vaccinated under the national immunization schedule, according to the 2025 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) results presented by the Philippine Statistics Authority- Central Visayas (PSA-7) on Thursday, May 21.

PSA data showed that 49.3 percent of children aged 12 to 23 months were fully vaccinated under the national schedule, while coverage for children aged 24 to 35 months stood at 49.0 percent.

In contrast, 79.3 percent of children aged 12 to 23 months were fully vaccinated based on basic antigens.

PSA-7 Regional Director Wilma Perante said the 2025 NDHS results were presented alongside revised 2022 figures, which excluded Negros Oriental and Siquijor to ensure comparability across survey years.

She said this means previously published 2022 regional estimates may differ from the updated series.

For basic antigens among children aged 12 to 23 months, 96.2 percent received the BCG vaccine in 2025, up from 92.9 percent in 2022.

DPT coverage stood at 85.0 percent, slightly lower than 86.5 percent in 2022.

Polio vaccination coverage reached 91.6 percent, higher than 83.2 percent in 2022, while MMR coverage increased to 92.1 percent from 90.5 percent.

BCG, or Bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine, protects against severe forms of tuberculosis in children. DPT refers to the combined vaccine for diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus.

MMR stands for measles, mumps, and rubella, which helps prevent three highly contagious viral diseases.

For national schedule vaccines, 92.2 percent received the hepatitis B birth dose, up from 82.9 percent in 2022.

However, coverage declined for other vaccines, including two-dose IPV at 83.1 percent (from 90.8 percent) and three-dose pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) at 68.2 percent (from 83.2 percent).

Implication

Officer-in-Charge Faith Curaraton, Medical Officer III and head of the Family Health Section of Department of Health Central Visayas, said the findings underscore the need to strengthen immunization strategies.

This particularly ensures that children complete all required vaccines within the recommended timeline.

She emphasized that full protection requires completion of basic childhood vaccines within the first year of life, including BCG, DPT, OPV and MMR.

Curaraton explained that measles protection, in particular, requires two doses of MMR vaccine under DOH guidance, noting that a single dose is not sufficient to prevent outbreaks due to the disease’s high transmissibility.

She also highlighted the importance of completing immunization before a child reaches two years old to ensure full protection during early development.

She added that improving vaccination completion rates supports the reduction of vaccine-preventable diseases and strengthens child survival outcomes.

Beyond immunization, Curaraton said the NDHS results provide critical evidence for policy formulation, program enhancement, and resource allocation.

She noted that the data will guide health authorities in identifying which programs need strengthening and where resources should be prioritized.

Mortality

Mortality indicators showed a decline over the 10-year reference period. Neonatal mortality decreased to 10 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2025 from 14 in 2022.

Infant mortality also declined to 10 from 21, while under-five mortality dropped to 12 from 24 per 1,000 live births.

Central Visayas recorded 12 under-five deaths per 1,000 live births in the latest estimate.

On child discipline, the survey showed improved caregiving practices. Non-violent discipline rose to 59.4 percent in 2025 from 37.8 percent in 2022. Psychological aggression declined to 31.0 percent from 52.3 percent, while any physical punishment dropped to 19.2 percent from 37.8 percent.

Severe physical punishment decreased to 1.5 percent from 2.3 percent, and overall violent discipline fell to 34.9 percent from 61.2 percent.

Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) results also improved. In Central Visayas, 79.5 percent of children aged 24 to 59 months were developmentally on track in 2025, slightly higher than 78.9 percent in 2022.

Nationally, the ECDI rose to 78.3 percent in 2025 from 76.8 percent in 2022.

The PSA said the NDHS results are intended to guide policy planning on child health, nutrition, education, and protection programs while highlighting remaining gaps, particularly in full immunization coverage under the national schedule.(MyTVCebu)