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Why vaccination is vital for public health protection

Philippines | National

Why vaccination is vital for public health protection

Upcoming health forum to highlight the important role of vaccination

By Zekinah Elize Espina

With recent outbreaks, such as pertussis, and the Philippines' ranking among the top five countries with the highest number of zero-dose children, experts underscore the “urgent requirement” for ongoing vaccination advocacy and action.

Photo from the Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP)

To boost vaccination efforts and build public trust, the Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) announced the upcoming "Health Connect" media forum on April 26.

The forum will feature representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, the Philippine Medical Association, as well as national and local government officials and medical societies, aiming to foster collaborative solutions.

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw the vaccination of over 79.2 million Filipinos, PHAP stated that this event aims to highlight the important role of vaccines in stopping deadly diseases and safeguarding lives. It will also explore strategies to enhance vaccine coverage and improve public confidence in immunization efforts.

As the world gears up to celebrate World Immunization Week (WIW) in the last week of April, themed "50 Years of Global Immunization," the forum will convene stakeholders from national and local governments, as well as medical societies.

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