Introduction: Effective vaccination campaigns have been instrumental in reducing COVID-19 transmission and severe disease outcomes. Despite efforts to improve vaccine accessibility, vaccine literacy and confidence remain important determinants of vaccine uptake. Rural and geographically isolated communities often experience barriers to healthcare access that may affect vaccination coverage. This study aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccination coverage, vaccine literacy, and vaccine confidence among residents of selected Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) in Floridablanca, Pampanga. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 211 residents of Barangays San Ramon and Nabuclod. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a translated and pretested questionnaire on vaccine literacy and vaccine confidence. Vaccination records obtained from the Rural Health Unit were reviewed to determine COVID-19 vaccination coverage. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were used to summarize the data. Results: The majority of respondents demonstrated an average level of vaccine literacy (75.8%), while 17.5% exhibited high vaccine literacy. Most respondents also demonstrated positive to very positive vaccine confidence (71.6%). Among the eligible population, 80.5% had completed the primary COVID-19 vaccination series, whereas 19.5% remained unvaccinated. Among those who completed the primary series, only 24.2% had received at least one booster dose. Conclusion Residents of the selected GIDAs generally demonstrated average vaccine literacy, positive vaccine confidence, and relatively high primary COVID-19 vaccination coverage. However, low booster uptake and the persistence of unvaccinated individuals highlight the need for sustained health education, improved healthcare accessibility, and targeted community-based interventions. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening vaccine literacy and confidence to support future immunization programs in geographically isolated communities.
COVID-19 ; Rural Health ; Vaccination coverage

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to determine the association of body tattooing and health risk behaviors among young adult Filipinos in a university in Metro Manila, as previous studies have linked tattooing to health risk behaviors such as alcoholism, violence, suicidality, illegal drug use and smoking. METHODS: A convenience sample of students enrolled in randomly selected colleges from a university were recruited for the study. Researchers administered the Youth Risk Behavior Survey to the participants. Prevalence rate ratios were computed, and chi-square was utilized to test for significance and strength of association of the variables mentioned. RESULTS: Among the risk behaviors studied, only smoking had a significant association with tattooing, with tattooed individuals being two times more likely to be engaged in smoking. Alcoholism, violence, suicidality and illegal drug use did not show significant associations with tattooing. CONCLUSION The presence of body tattoos was associated with increased engagement in smoking behaviors, though the association between tattooing and other risk behaviors should be further explored.