Combating Vaccine Hesitancy in the Philippines: Bridging the Gap Through Visual Communication and Education

In recent years, data has shown a growth in vaccine hesitancy for families in the Philippines, specifically in regards to the Dengue and COVID-19 immunizations for children. While vaccines remain widely available, strained health systems, poverty, lack of resources, and limited access to health education and functional literacy hinder under-resourced families from understanding and trusting essential childhood vaccinations. In low-income countries where there is a high percentage of people with low literacy rates, visual aids in health education have been proven beneficial by improving health communication and decision-making. This paper examines the roots of vaccine hesitancy in the Philippines, highlighting educational shortcomings, misinformation, and cultural perceptions, and how this can be improved with the use of visual aids.