Vaccinating for
a Healthier Future
Our Story
My journey in establishing Give It a Shot began with a personal experience - witnessing my father's struggle with polio. Being a first-generation Filipino American, I have had the opportunity to visit the Philippines during my summer breaks and have seen firsthand the lack of access to basic necessities, including healthcare, that many Filipinos face.
Driven by this personal experience and a desire to make a tangible difference, Give It a Shot was established with the goal of raising funds to provide free pneumococcal (Prevnar 13) vaccines to daycare children in the Philippines, where pneumonia is the leading cause of childhood mortality.
During my freshman year of high school, I raised $8,000, enough to vaccinate 145 children, and coordinated with local pediatricians and health officials to ensure the proper storage, transport, and administration of the vaccines, as well as to obtain parental consent.
The program's success in its inaugural year (2016-2017) paved the way for further expansion, and during the following 5 years, over $45,000 and over 600 children have been vaccinated.
Czarina Alfonso
Johns Hopkins Class of 2024
Founder & CEO
Completing college and looking forward, my unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of underserved children in the Philippines continues to drive the growth and impact of Give It a Shot.
Pneumonia in the Philippines
Pneumonia remains a significant public health concern in the Philippines, particularly among children. According to the Field Health Services Information System Report, about 31,395 Filipino children under the age of 5 died due to pneumonia in 2021. Additionally, approximately 60,500 children were infected with the disease in 2022.
Pneumonia is not only the leading cause of death among children under 5 in the Philippines, but it is also the third leading cause of death across all age groups in the country. In fact, 90% of the children who die from pneumonia in the Philippines are under the age of 5, with an overall mortality rate of 23.4 per 100,000 population.
Studies have shown that more than 50% of childhood pneumonia cases in the Philippines are readily preventable through proper vaccination and other interventions. However, due to the high cost of the pneumococcal vaccine, which can be one-fifth the average income of a Filipino family, many children from the poorest communities are unable to access this life-saving protection. Addressing the pneumonia burden in the Philippines, particularly among young children, remains a critical public health priority.
Our Mission & Goals
Give it a Shot is committed to safeguard public health by providing free access to essential vaccines for all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Through community outreach, education and partnerships with healthcare providers, we aim to increase vaccination rates and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Together we are building a healthier more resilient community.
Our Recognitions
On February 2019, Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program named Czarina as New jersey’s top high school volunteer. She was honored in the nation’s capital on May 5 for her outstanding contributions during the 24th annual awards ceremony. She received a $1,000 check at a ceremony and gala dinner reception held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
