• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The full implementation of the national immunization program (NIP) is being pushed in Bacolod City to safeguard the health and wellbeing of residents from all forms of vaccine-preventable diseases.
The proposed Bacolod City National Immunization Program Implementation Code of 2026, approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, took note of Republic Act 7846, which provides that mandatory basic immunization shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to five years of age.
“The proposed ordinance aims to ensure that parents recognize the right of every child to survival and healthy development through comprehensive, mandatory vaccination,” proponent Councilor Em Ang said, adding that the mandatory basic immunization for all infants and children targets vaccine-preventable diseases, such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella or German measles, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (HiB), among others.
Ang, chairperson of the SP Committee on Health and Sanitation, said there is need for the city government to ensure the efficient delivery of immunization services through a fully-functional City Health Office, as well as an adequate number of permanently-trained health service providers, like doctors, nurses, and midwives.
The city should also ensure that all target populations receive the recommended vaccines, like complete routine immunization for infants at 12 months; catch-up immunization for children under four years and 11 months; tetanus-diphtheria for pregnant women; school-based vaccines for grades 1, 4, and 7; and recommended vaccines for senior citizens, the proposal, co-authored by Councilor Celia Flor, added.
Routine immunization services should be available every Wednesday at all barangay health stations, and that financial and logistical support for adverse events following immunization (AEFI) cases, including transportation, medicines, and hospital referrals be provided by the city, the proposed ordinance stressed. | CGC
