DOH urges educ over penalties for parents of unvaccinated children 

In order to boost the country’s vaccination status, the Department of Health (DOH) emphasized the importance of education, rather than imposing penalties among Filipino parents who are not immunizing their children, Feb. 26. 

DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa pointed out that their priorities in vaccination initiatives are to educate and inform the parents on the benefits of vaccines against various diseases.

“Kailangan i-inform at i-educate ang mga magulang tungkol sa benepisyo ng mga bakuna. So inuulit natin, wala po tayong i-impose na penalty,” he said. 

This issue was brought up following the erratum on the unofficial recommendation from DOH Undersecretary Emmie Liza Chiong’s proposal to the House of Representatives, which suggested imposing minor penalties on parents or caregivers who consciously refuse to vaccinate against vaccine-preventable illnesses. 

The DOH Secretary stressed that penalizing parents is not the agency’s policy, considering the human rights and decisions in vaccinations.

“Naniniwala kami sa human rights at paniniwala ng ating mga magulang kung gusto o ayaw nilang (kanilang mga anak) magpabakuna,” he added.

Meanwhile, DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo clarified the agency’s position, saying that it does not support the inclusion of penalties for parents who fail to immunize their children. 

“The Secretary has clarified that the Department is not recommending the addition of any penalties for the failure to have children immunized,” he said.

Later, Chiong clarified that the proposal focuses on the bills establishing a mandatory immunization program, expanding comprehensive maternal healthcare, including immunization, and institutionalizing the Immunization Agenda 2030.

To ensure the success of the initiative, DOH will strengthen information campaigns, community engagement, and expand multiple access to immunization services to convince parents to protect their children from illnesses.

The vaccination rate in the country, according to the health agency, was significantly below the national target of 95 percent, as reported only 64.27 percent or around 1.5 million children were fully immunized.