Unvaccinated

The Department of Health confirmed a slight increase in the number of cases of measles-rubella. Some 2,118 cases of the disease have been recorded from the start of the year to May 10.

- ALEX MAGNO

Vaccination is the only way to fight escalation of this trend. The DOH, however, admits that not enough vaccination is being done. There's the rub.

Since January 2024, the DOH began issuing invitations to bid for the needed vaccines. The agency had slated October to December 2024 for what it called Early Procurement Activity for vaccines to be used in 2025. By the end of May 2025, however, it is reported that not a single vaccine procurement has been concluded. This means over half a year's delay in vaccine procurement.

The delay could push back dissemination of the essential vaccines to very late in the year. The crucial months for implementing government's vaccination program have already passed.

The delay means that the most routine vaccination, especially of infants, could not be done. The unvaccinated children will be left exposed to the otherwise preventable diseases. The toll is already being taken. Many infants are left unprotected because of bureaucratic delays.

Procurement is not an easy process. Some time is needed to complete the process from the opening of bids to the awarding of contracts. There is no evidence this process is proceeding with some sense of urgency.

The sorry state of our vaccine supply contrasts sharply with government's ambitious health care goals.

This administration set a high target of 95 vaccination coverage this year. This coverage should underscore its commitment to primary health care. With no vaccine supply, however, this will be another performance target this administration will miss.