5 EV provinces log immunization lag

TACLOBAN CITY — Five of the six provinces in Eastern Visayas (EV) ranked among the 20 lowest-performing provinces nationwide in fully immunized children in 2025, according to the Second Congressional Commission on Education.

Leyte posted the region’s lowest rate at 46 percent, followed by Samar at 48 percent, Northern Samar at 49 percent, Eastern Samar at 50 percent and Southern Leyte at 53 percent.

All five fell below the 65 percent national baseline, while the Department of Health has set a 95 percent target for fully immunized children.

In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi posted even lower rates at 29 percent and 36 percent, respectively.

The Department of Health requires children to receive BCG, three doses each of oral polio and pentavalent vaccines, and an anti-measles vaccine before turning 12 months old.

The EDCOM II findings were used in formulating the 2026-2035 National Education and Workforce Development Plan.