Medical Officer Dr. Karla Rigos of Benguet General Hospital shares the findings of their research into vaccines from the years 2021 to 2022 at the City Hall Hour forum on April 26, 2023. The study found that the administration of routine or basic vaccines for immunization against pneumonia, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and hepatitis B declined during the COVID-19 pandemic.
An SMS or text reminder program was then launched by Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) to encourage parents to bring their children in to be immunized for the illnesses. Since the program’s launch, vaccine coverage for children in most Benguet health centers has increased.
Dr. Elaine B. Corpus, chairperson of the Department of Pediatrics in BGHMC, explains that the SMS reminder program aims for the timely administration of vaccines and full vaccine coverage. Parents will receive three SMS reminders and are questioned about their failure to bring their children to the nearest health center after the third reminder. Through the two-way communication system of the program, the research found that the most common reason was due to the children suffering from sickness. Healthcare workers will use the program to reschedule appointments.
Dr. Rigos emphasized that vaccines are the most effective preventative measures against infectious diseases. She explained that vaccines are thoroughly researched, and recipients are carefully observed after receiving immunization. She adds that it is a simple procedure that contributes to developing herd immunity in the community. “I hope that with what we shared here today ma-enlighten ang mga parents natin and our listeners. Vaccines save lives,” Dr. Rigos concluded.
The SMS reminder program began as a research program with randomized controlled field trials methodology. BGHMC identified district health centers in Atok Trail, Engineer’s Hill, Campo Filipino, Lucban, Scout Barrio, Asin, Loakan, and Quirino Hill as having the lowest vaccine coverage in the city. IT professionals from BGHMC trained the health care professionals in the identified health centers to use the program.
Of the 16 district health centers in Baguio City, only 10 are equipped with the SMS reminder program due to budgetary restrictions. The Department of Health fully funded the program. By Milles Rodriguez
