THE City Health Office (CHO) of Davao City is aiming to vaccinate around 40,000 children in 2025 as part of its intensified routine immunization campaign.
Dr. Annaliza S. Malubay, CHO’s City National Immunization Program Medical Coordinator, said the target is approximately 40,545 children. The office is working to reach 95% of this population to achieve herd immunity.
“Once maka-target ta og 95 percent naa na tay herd immunity nga medyo gwapo na ang protection (Once we reach 95 percent, we’ll have a good level of protection through herd immunity)," Malubay said during the ISpeak media forum on April 24, 2025, at the City Hall Training Hall. "Hopefully, this year, with the strong campaign, we are trying to intensify our efforts.”
In 2024, CHO fell short of its goal, reaching only 59 percent of the 40,169 targeted children.
For school-based immunization, coverage was even lower — only 46% of the estimated 30,000 enrolled students were vaccinated. Malubay encouraged parents, especially those with children in private schools, to ensure their kids receive their shots. She said that when CHO visited private schools in March, many students had already finished the school year, limiting their reach.
To address this, CHO plans to include more private schools in its upcoming school-based campaigns to improve coverage.
In addition to school-based efforts, the CHO is working with Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), purok leaders, and barangay officials to promote vaccination at the community level. The office is also targeting areas with high vaccine hesitancy by engaging directly with residents to address their concerns.
Malubay also shared that CHO continues its “defaulter tracking” initiative—conducting door-to-door visits to identify and vaccinate children who started but did not complete their immunization schedules.
She assured the public that the city has enough vaccine supplies following deliveries from the Department of Health (DOH). She noted that a six-month vaccine shortage in 2024 contributed to the lower coverage last year.
To mark World Immunization Week, the CHO has scheduled vaccination days at NCCC Victoria Plaza on April 28 - 30 and May 2 - 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Routine vaccines will be available for children aged six weeks to 59 months. Additional vaccines for Measles, Rubella, Tetanus, and Diphtheria will be offered to children aged 6-7 and 12-13 years. HPV vaccines will also be available for girls aged 9–14 years. RGP
