Vaccine expert urges wider access, stronger fight vs disinformation

A vaccine expert on Tuesday called for improved access to vaccination and stronger efforts to combat disinformation in the Philippines, warning that both are crucial to raising the country’s immunization rate.

Dr. Lulu Bravo of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and the Philippine General Hospital made the call as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) conducted its final public consultation on the draft implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 12290 or the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act.

“Vaccines are a public and private concern that must be embraced by everyone—from children and students to teachers, government officials, and workers,” Bravo said during the consultation in Parañaque City.

“Vaccines are not just for individual protection. They protect families, communities, society, and the country,” she added.

The Department of Health earlier reported that the Philippines remains far from its target of fully immunizing 95% of children against vaccine-preventable diseases, with the current rate at 61%.

Bravo attributed vaccine hesitancy partly to the spread of disinformation.

“I hope everyone understands the importance of communication and advocacy. Messages of support must also fight DOM—disinformation, opportunism, and misinformation,” she said.

The public consultation, which began on November 13, 2025, tackled the VIP’s administrative and technical frameworks.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the VIP Act into law on September 19, 2025. The measure aims to strengthen local vaccine development for uneradicated diseases and improve the management of locally circulating disease strains.—MCG, GMA Integrated News