Free Vaccines in the Philippines: Where to Go by City 2026
Dr. Maria Elena Santos
Pediatrics · Philippine Children's Medical Center · Medically reviewed · April 2, 2026
All DOH EPI vaccines are completely free for Filipino children. Yet many families pay private rates simply because they do not know where to go. This guide tells you exactly where to get free vaccines by city — and what to bring with you.
1What Vaccines Are Free Under the DOH EPI in 2026?
The DOH Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) provides these vaccines free of charge at all government facilities: BCG (tuberculosis); Hepatitis B (three doses); Pentavalent — DTP-HepB-Hib (three doses, covers diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B); Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV, three doses); Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV, one dose at fourteen weeks); Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV, three doses); Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR, two doses); Rotavirus vaccine (two doses, for infants at six and ten weeks); Japanese Encephalitis (one dose at nine months in endemic areas); and HPV vaccine (two doses for Grade 4 girls). All of these are free — no copay, no HMO required.
2Where to Get Free Vaccines in Metro Manila and Key Cities
Metro Manila: Every barangay health center holds vaccination days — typically Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 AM to 12 noon, though schedules vary. Call your specific barangay health center to confirm. Philippine Children's Medical Center (PCMC) in Quezon City has a dedicated free vaccination clinic on the ground floor. National Children's Hospital in Diliman also provides free EPI vaccination. Cebu City: Cebu City Health Department RHUs across all barangays, plus Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. Davao: Davao City Health Office provides free vaccination at all fourteen district health centers. Provincial areas: Rural Health Units (RHUs) in all municipalities are the primary vaccination sites. All DOH-retained hospitals also maintain EPI vaccination programs.
3How to Prepare for Your Free Vaccination Visit
Bring your child's immunization card — this card tracks all doses and is essential for avoiding duplicate doses and scheduling the next. If the card is lost, visit the health center where your child was vaccinated to request a replacement. Bring a light snack for your child to eat after vaccination to reduce post-vaccine fussiness. Dress your child in clothing that allows easy access to the thighs (for injection) — a onesie or pants that can be easily rolled up. Plan to wait: government vaccination clinics can have lines, especially on recommended vaccination days. Some LGUs now offer appointment scheduling through their official Facebook pages or city health office numbers — check before arriving.
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When to See a Doctor
After vaccination, see your doctor if your child develops fever above 39°C, inconsolable crying lasting more than three hours, extreme drowsiness or difficulty waking, or redness and swelling at the injection site larger than five centimeters and still growing after 24 hours. Seek emergency care if your child has difficulty breathing, develops facial swelling, or has a seizure after vaccination.
Key Takeaways
All DOH EPI vaccines including BCG, Pentavalent, MMR, PCV, and Rotavirus are completely free at any barangay health center.
Vaccination days at barangay health centers are typically Tuesday and Thursday mornings — call your specific barangay to confirm.
Bring your child's immunization card to every vaccination visit — it is the permanent record of all doses given.
What I Learned
"I was paying ₱4,000 per vaccine visit at a private clinic. My neighbor told me PCMC gives the same vaccines for free. I've been going there since my second child was born. The wait is longer but the vaccines are identical." — Melody, mom of two
500+ questions answered by Philippine pediatricians
Browse All FAQsDoctor's Perspective
Pediatrics · Philippine Children's Medical Center
"The vaccines at the barangay health center are WHO-prequalified, cold-chain managed, and clinically identical to what you receive at a private clinic. The only difference is the price — zero versus thousands of pesos. Every Filipino parent deserves to know this."
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Vaccination Visit Essentials
Independently selected by the KidSafe PH editorial team. Available on Lazada & Shopee Philippines.
Vaccine Record Booklet / Organizer
₱120–₱250Keep all vaccination records, dates, and clinic receipts organized. Essential for school enrollment and travel. Widely available at National Bookstore.
Cooling Teether (Post-Vaccine Comfort)
₱280–₱450A chilled teether helps soothe post-injection pain and discomfort at the injection site — especially helpful for babies 4 months and older.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links. KidSafe PH earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. All products are independently selected by our editorial team.
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