Parañaque tops NCR with 99% childhood immunization rate

Parañaque City has achieved a 99 percent coverage rate for childhood immunization, according to the latest official health data.

As of December 2025, Metro Manila’s coverage for fully immunized children stood at 83.11 percent, based on data from the Department of Health’s Field Health Services Information System.

FHSIS is a nationwide, facility-based recording and reporting system used by the Department of Health and local government units as a key reference for planning, managing and implementing public health programs.

Data from FHSIS showed that 237,522 out of 285,798 infants aged zero to 12 months in the National Capital Region completed their routine immunizations. This reflects a significant regional improvement compared with the previous year, when only 61 percent of eligible children nationwide were considered fully immunized.

Parañaque City emerged as the regional leader, immunizing 14,373 out of 14,517 infants, translating to a 99 percent coverage rate against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Parañaque was followed by Quezon City at 96.93 percent, Pasig at 96.47 percent, Mandaluyong at 96.37 percent, Makati at 95.72 percent, and Navotas at 95.58 percent.

The FHSIS report credited the leading cities’ performance to strong local health systems, effective barangay-level awareness campaigns, and sustained engagement with parents and caregivers to ensure vaccine access and compliance.

Manila, the region’s most populous city, posted a 90.10 percent immunization coverage rate, above the NCR average but still below the target for universal immunization.

Several local government units lagged significantly behind, raising concerns among public health officials over increased vulnerability to vaccine-preventable diseases.

Marikina recorded the lowest coverage at 34.18 percent, followed by Muntinlupa at 50.26 percent, San Juan at 54.0 percent, Malabon at 56.96 percent, Taguig at 70.0 percent, Valenzuela at 71.15 percent, and Pateros at 71.66 percent.

“While certain LGUs are above the regional average coverage, others remain critically below target, underscoring the need for intensified and targeted interventions,” the FHSIS report read.

Health officials cited multiple factors contributing to immunization gaps, including high population mobility, vaccine hesitancy, access and logistical challenges, and gaps in data reporting and tracking of children who miss scheduled vaccinations.

The Parañaque City government said it continues targeted interventions in low-performing areas through catch-up immunization drives, strengthened barangay-based education campaigns, and improved monitoring systems to ensure no child is left unvaccinated.

The Department of Health earlier announced that coordinated efforts with NCR local government units will be intensified in early 2026 to further boost immunization coverage, stressing that full vaccination within a child’s first year of life is critical to preventing outbreaks of measles, polio, diphtheria and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

Amid rising measles-rubella cases, the DOH said it aims to immunize more than 10 million children nationwide this year. Measles is highly contagious, with one infected person capable of transmitting the virus to an estimated 12 to 18 others.

The DOH has previously reported that the Philippines remains below the 95 percent target for full childhood immunization, with national coverage at 61 percent.

On 19 September 2025, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed the Vaccine Independence and Protection Act into law to strengthen local vaccine development and improve the management of locally circulating disease strains.