Health experts are urging the national government to boost its fight against meningitis, stressing the vital importance of inoculation against all vaccine-preventable diseases.

Speaking at the Health Connect forum, Dr. Maria Kristina Marasigan, director of the Department of Health’s (DoH) Health Promotion Bureau, stressed that prevention remains a top priority under the Universal Health Care Law.

“Our goal is not just to raise awareness but to empower Filipinos to make informed health decisions,” Marasigan said.

She pointed out that many Filipinos want to get vaccinated but lack information on schedules and access points, underscoring the need for stronger public outreach.

While awareness of other vaccine-preventable diseases has increased, meningitis is often overlooked, according to Dr. Josefina Carlos of the University of the East-Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center.

Carlos stressed the importance of collective action in fighting the disease and cited that while vaccine hesitancy has decreased, ongoing cooperation among communities, health care workers and organizations is essential to meet the World Health Organization’s 2030 goal of eliminating meningitis.

The world has only five years left to reach that target.

Dr. Elizabeth Escaño-Gallardo of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines highlighted the necessity of preparedness.

“Effective communication, early recognition, infection control, and vaccination were crucial,” Escaño-Gallardo said. “Outbreaks are unpredictable... But our experience has clearly proven that vaccination remains our best strategy to prevent future outbreaks. I cannot overemphasize how important this strategy is.”

Meningitis can kill a person within 24 hours or leave survivors with lasting disabilities, such as seizures or hearing and vision loss. Despite available vaccines, many Filipinos remain unprotected, experts said.