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Proteksyon Para kay Baby? Why Vaccines Are Essential for Filipino Children

  • Writer: Jared Salvador
    Jared Salvador
  • Aug 11
  • 3 min read
Young boy smiling, looking at a pink bandage reading "I got my vaccine." A hand adjusts it. Blurred green background, blue shirt.

As parents, we want nothing more than to keep our kids safe, healthy, and protected. But when it comes to disease prevention, nothing comes close to the power of vaccines. They are not just part of your child’s routine health check. They are a critical form of protection backed by decades of research and real-world success. 


Let’s break down why vaccines matter and what every Filipino family should understand. 


Vaccines Protect Against Deadly, Preventable Diseases 

Childhood Immunization Schedule 2025 chart. Vaccines listed by age in weeks, months, years. Color-coded for routine and special vaccinations.
Childhood Immunization Schedule (ctto. Philippine Pediatric Society)

Vaccines work by preparing your child’s immune system to fight off serious infections without experiencing the full extent of a certain disease. These include measles, polio, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, and more. These aren’t “old” diseases. They still exist and can come back when vaccination rates drop. 


In 2019, the Philippines saw over 47,000 reported cases of measles, with more than 600 deaths. Most of those affected were young children who haven’t been vaccinated. Measles isn’t just a rash and fever. It can cause pneumonia, seizures, and brain inflammation. Polio, which causes paralysis, also made a comeback in the Philippines in 2019 after years of absence. These cases weren’t random. They happened because not enough children were vaccinated. 


Vaccines don’t just lower risk. They stop diseases in their tracks. 


"Natural Immunity" Isn’t Safer 

Adult adjusts a child's gray face mask outdoors. Child wears a pink coat with fur hood and red uniform, looking serious. Blurred background.

Some parents hear that letting a child catch an illness “naturally” builds stronger immunity. But that’s a dangerous gamble. Natural infection means putting your child through the full force of a disease. For example, natural immunity to measles comes at the cost of a 1 in 20 chance of pneumonia and a 1 in 1,000 risk of brain swelling. 


Vaccines give your child the same immune protection without the risk of severe illness. It’s a smarter and much safer way to build lasting immunity. 


Vaccines Protect the Whole Community 


Vaccinating your child doesn’t just protect them. It helps protect newborn babies, senior citizens, and people with weakened immune systems who can’t receive certain vaccines. This is called community immunity or herd protection. 


When more people are vaccinated, diseases have fewer chances to spread. That’s how communities prevent outbreaks. Every vaccinated child becomes a layer of protection for the people around them. 


Side Effects Are Rare and Temporary 


Like any medicine, vaccines can have side effects. But most are mild and short-term. Your child might have a slight fever, feel tired, or have some soreness at the injection site. These are normal signs that the body is building protection. 


Serious side effects are extremely rare. According to the World Health Organization and the Philippine Department of Health, the risk of a life-threatening vaccine reaction is far lower than the risk of complications from the disease itself. 


Vaccines go through years of testing before they are approved. They are monitored continuously to ensure safety and effectiveness, even after they’re in use. 

 

We’re With You at Every Step 

A smiling receptionist hands a card to a woman and child at a healthcare desk. "Your healthcare" is visible on the white wall. Bright setting.

At HealthFirst Clinic, we believe that parents deserve simpler and better support when it comes to their children’s health. Our pediatricians are trained to walk you through every vaccine your child needs, explain what to expect, and make the experience as smooth and stress-free as possible. 


Vaccination is not just a health decision. It’s a life-saving one. Make sure your child is fully protected and ready to thrive. 


📅 Schedule your child’s vaccination at HealthFirst Clinic today.  

📍 (02) 8860 9740 ​

 


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