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Philippines measles-rubella vaccination campaign

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-19 08:54 UTC → 2026-08-26 15:34 UTC · added removed

The Philippine Department of Health launched a Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA) from August 10 to August 28, 2026. The campaign targets 2026, targeting 445,961 children aged six months to 59 months months. The campaign aims to prevent outbreaks, with specific efforts in Central Visayas aiming for a 95 percent coverage rate among approximately 630,000 children. In Naga City, officials noted several suspected measles cases between 2021 outbreaks through vaccination and 2025, prompting calls for parental participation. Along with vaccines, eligible children are receiving Vitamin A supplementation. By mid-August, health officials in Cebu Province began addressing misinformation circulating during 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 ‘Ligtas Tigdas 2026’ campaign. 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 social media ‘unverified’ claims alleging that children fell ill immediately following vaccination. Dr. Grace Arcay of the Balamban Rural Health Unit characterized the rumors as ‘unverified,’ after vaccination, noting that vaccination rounds had not yet started begun in that specific area when area. In response, the claims appeared. The Cebu Provincial Health Office has directed municipal officers officials to document and file formal complaints against accounts spreading these such narratives. As of August 14, the campaign has reached 90,110 children in the Eastern Visayas region, representing approximately 31 percent of that area's target population. In Cebu, Governor Pamela Baricuatro has urged parents to participate and cautioned against vaccine hesitancy. By August 18, the campaign faced increasing challenges from vaccine hesitancy fueled by social media. In the Negros Island Region, approximately 93,416 children had been vaccinated, with coverage rates of 27.8 percent in Negros Occidental and 11.1 percent in Negros Oriental. In Central Visayas, regional coverage was reported at only 12 percent. Dr. Faith Curaraton, the regional National Immunization Program coordinator, Curaraton noted that many parents are frequently refusing vaccines based on information found on platforms like Facebook. Furthermore, Facebook information. These challenges have escalated into safety concerns for frontline workers. In Cebu, barangay health workers have encountered safety threats. 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.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-26 15:34 UTC Philippines measles-rubella vaccination campaign
  2. 2026-08-19 08:54 UTC Philippines measles-rubella vaccination campaign
  3. 2026-08-18 02:05 UTC Philippines measles-rubella vaccination campaign
  4. 2026-08-16 10:28 UTC Philippines measles-rubella vaccination campaign

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