DOH launches apps to digitalize children’s immunization records

Department of Health — INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — In an effort to fully vaccinate children in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) has launched a set of applications that seeks to replace paper-based recording of immunization data, helping the government track those who missed out or have yet to receive their vaccine.

Together with the United Nations Children’s Fund, the DOH on Wednesday launched DigiVacc, composed of two applications that will help digitalize the immunization data of children in the country.

“[T]oo many children are still at risk of vaccine-preventable diseases, highlighting the need for more data-driven and smarter immunization efforts,” read a statement in the DigiVacc website.

“DigiVacc is the DOH’s immunization application suite to help achieve fully immunized children in the Philippines. The app suite helps guardians and health-care workers monitor immunization, ensuring that every child is protected against vaccine-preventable diseases,” read the statement.

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Established with funding from the Japan government, DigiVacc is composed of two component applications, VaccTrace and VaccCheck.

VaccTrace, which comes as a web service and as a mobile app, is meant to be used by health-care providers, who can now record immunization services in the app and track the coverage within their designated area.

VaccTrace allows health workers to quickly monitor the vaccination status of their patient, automatically generate reports, and set up text reminders on their phones. It could also be used in areas without internet access with its offline functionality.

Meanwhile, VaccCheck is a patient-facing mobile app that lets parents or guardians view and download their children’s immunization records.

It helps them keep track of their child’s vaccination progress, check recommended vaccine schedules and set up reminders for upcoming or missed vaccinations.

Both applications can be downloaded for free at the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

With its launch, DigiVacc will initially be deployed in 13 local government units. The DOH said the apps are expected to address current challenges in immunization data management in the country.

These include inefficiencies caused by paper-based recordings, incomplete or delayed reports, limited data from private health facilities, gaps in tracking immunization visits and finding out which children missed their vaccine dose.

“It addresses the problem of parents losing their child’s vaccination record, or health centers missing critical information when records are destroyed, or when health workers retire or resign,” the DOH said.

“With near real-time access to data, DigiVacc enables effective monitoring of children’s immunization coverage, helping detect trends and bottlenecks to strengthen service delivery and decision-making,” it added. /das