Frugal Mom's Diary: Free Immunizations

Today is Z's final immunization from our Baranggay Health Center (HC). We availed of 3 shots each of the Pentavalent Vaccine; five individual vaccines conjugated in one, also known as 5-in-1 or the combo vaccine inclusive of DPT (Diptheria, Pertussis, Tetanus), Hepatitis B, HiB ( Haemophilus Influenzae Type b); and OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) which is orally dropped as the name states, Measles, and MMR (German Measles, Mumps, Rubella). All these FREE of charge for every visit.

I made a survey among my friends who also have babies, because I'm not updated with the recent price ranges of these vaccines in private hospitals or clinics. With what they shared, I came up with this commputation of what we were able to saved from the Immunization charges.

3 x P3,000* = P9,000.00 5-in-1 Vaccine
1 x P2,000* = P2,000.00 Measles
1 x P1,500* = P1.500.00 MMR
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TOTAL P 12,500.00 SAVINGS

*These are all in average. Prices vary depending on the Hospital and Doctor's Fee

BCG Vaccine, Bacillus Calmette–Guérin, vaccine given to babies days or weeks after birth against Tuberculosis, is also given free at the Health Centers. But we had it administered by our Family Doctor who is also a Pediadrician. Though we were charged for this vaccine its only minimal compared to the average actual amount of P500.00.

I remembered when Q was our baby in 2006, DPT, HiB, and Hepa B are given separately at Health Centers. 5-in-1 was accessible only in private hospitals, that is why we opted all his vaccines from our doctor. We don't want him to feel tortured with all the injections. We were also afraid of those stories of some parents that their babies experienced prolonged fever and keloids after being injectioned from HC. So we never took the risk even if its free.

Now, having a baby and a school-boy means B-U-D-G-E-T. We need to consider things like this to atleast minimize the family expenses, but not compromising the important needs of the kids and household. We learned from our Pedia, that 5-in-1 is now given free in HC. She gave us the option. For us, who doesn't want free services such as this, right? So we went to HC to schedule for Z's Penta vaccine. So far, Z didn't have long fever, peharps he has a strong tolerance to pain, neither had keloids over the places he was injected onto.

For the past 12 months of going to our Health Center for Immunization, these are the Tips I could share.

Be Early. Even if it means you are to open the Health Center *Wink*

1. Go Early. Just like any government offices, Health Centers start at 8:00 in the morning. Be there an hour or atleast 30 minutes before it opens. Why? Because you have to secure your slot. Regardless if its still closed, queueing is already starting. Also, know your schedule. Since this is a public place, they have assigned particular days for Immunization, Maternity Check ups, Check up for people TB, and other illnesses.

2. Be nice and approachable. Expect that there will be moms and babies who came ahead of you and will follow you as well. The only way to know your queue is to know who came latest, and be alert who came next to you, to ensure order. Because unlike in private hospitals, there will be no guards or attendants who will give you numbers. Numbers will be given by the HC Personnel, but they will ask you to fall in line according to who came first by the door. Those numbers are your sequence before the administration of vaccines.

3. Patience is a Virtue. Again this is a Government facility for public, atleast for the Baranggay residents. You'll get to interact with people from all walks. Sometimes you have to deal with grumpy HC workers. We go back to Tip #1, be early, so you will deal with personnel while in their best mood and if you want to finish early. 'Coz infact, the waiting part is longer than the injection itself.

I think thats it. Z has a couple or more vaccines needed like the Chickenpox and Flu but we can save up for those now. We're just thankful that the Government has made these improvements in our health services. It opened options to those who are tightening up their belts like us and to give access to those who are less fortunate who needs to be vaccinated.