Statement of the Problem

Despite the availability of free vaccination services, the vaccination status of many children in indigenous communities remains unclear, and potential barriers such as distance, financial constraints, cultural beliefs, and misinformation may hinder access to complete immunization. This problem threatens child health, weakens community protection, and increases the risk of outbreaks of preventable diseases. It; it also warrants scholarly attention because vaccination is a basic public health priority, yet indigenous families in rural areas may continue to face challenges in regard to access and utilization. This issue is also timely and relevant, as recent outbreaks in the Philippines highlight the urgent need to strengthen immunization awareness and delivery, especially in underserved and indigenous communities.

Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions:
What is the vaccination status of children aged 0–5 years old among indigenous families in Biaan, Mariveles?
What are the common factors that prevent or delay vaccination among indigenous children (e.g., transportation, distance to RHU, financial constraints, cultural beliefbeliefs, fear of side effects, misinformation, low prioritization)?
What is the level of awareness of indigenous parents or guardians aboutwhen it comes to vaccination?
What common experiences can be observed from the responses of indigenous parents or guardians regarding vaccinevaccination access?
How do indigenous parents or guardians perceive the importance of vaccination in relation to their cultural beliefs and practices?
What actionaction(s) do indigenous families take to handle barriers in accessingpreventing access to vaccination services?