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5 clusters · 7 sources · 15 days · First seen · Last updated

Philippines measles-rubella vaccination campaign

Overview

The Philippine Department of Health launched a Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA) from August 10 to August 28, 2026, targeting 445,961 children aged six to 59 months. The campaign aims to prevent outbreaks through vaccination and Vitamin A supplementation.

By mid-August, regional coverage showed significant variance. In Eastern Visayas, 90,110 children (approximately 31 percent) had been vaccinated, with Eastern Samar recording 44.27 percent and Samar 23.01 percent. In the Negros Island Region, coverage reached 27.8 percent in Negros Occidental and 11.1 percent in Negros Oriental. Central Visayas reported only 12 percent coverage, while Mandaue City reported a drop to 37 percent from previous years exceeding 90 percent.

The campaign has faced intense challenges from social media misinformation. In Balamban, authorities refuted ‘unverified’ claims that children fell ill immediately after vaccination, noting that rounds had not yet begun in that area. In response, the Cebu Provincial Health Office directed officials to file formal complaints against accounts spreading such narratives. Dr. Faith Curaraton noted that parents are frequently refusing vaccines based on Facebook information.

These challenges have escalated into safety concerns for frontline workers. In Cebu, barangay health workers have reported facing hostility, including being threatened with bladed weapons and encountering physical obstacles. Despite these hurdles, officials like Governor Pamela Baricuatro and Mandaue City Health Officer Dr. Debra Maria Catulong continue to urge parental participation to reach the 95 percent coverage threshold required for herd immunity.

Entities

Cebu · Department of Health · Central Visayas · Cebu Provincial Health Office · Negros Island Region

Timeline

  1. 21 days ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Vaccination rates decline in Mandaue City and Wisconsin

    Measles-rubella vaccination rates are falling in Mandaue City, Philippines, and Wisconsin, US, as health officials warn of declining herd immunity and the risk of outbreaks.

  2. 28 days ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Philippines measles-rubella vaccination drive faces social media misinformation and safety threats

    Philippine health officials face low measles-rubella vaccination rates and hostility toward health workers due to social media-driven vaccine fears during a regional immunization campaign.

  3. 30 days ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Philippines launches measles-rubella vaccination drive for children

    The Philippines is conducting a supplemental immunization campaign targeting measles and rubella in children. Over 90,000 children in Eastern Visayas have been vaccinated so far.

  4. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Cebu health officials combat measles vaccine misinformation

    Health officials in Cebu, Philippines, are combating social media misinformation targeting the ‘Ligtas Tigdas 2026’ measles and rubella vaccination campaign for young children.

  5. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Philippines launches measles-rubella vaccination campaign

    The Philippines has launched a measles-rubella vaccination campaign running through August 28, targeting children under five to prevent outbreaks and achieve high immunity levels nationwide.

Sources

bicolmail.net · cebudailynews.inquirer.net · disa.org · leytesamardailynews.com · pageone.ph · webstat.net · wisconsinwatch.org

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history