Iloilo vaccinates 116,691 children against measles, rubella

By Mariela Angella Oladive

ILOILO CITY — Iloilo province had vaccinated 116,691 children ages 6 to 59 months against measles and rubella as of Sept. 6, reaching 67.7% of its target under a supplemental immunization campaign.

The figure leaves 55,669 children unvaccinated out of the province’s target population of 172,360, according to the Iloilo Provincial Health Office.

Iloilo recorded the highest vaccination coverage in Western Visayas, which posted an overall accomplishment rate of 62%.

Antique followed with 63.5% coverage, while Guimaras recorded 59.3%.

Iloilo City reached 57.3%, followed by Capiz at 57.1% and Aklan at 52.8%.

The third phase of the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity, or MR-SIA, was initially scheduled from Aug. 10 to 28 but was extended to give health workers more time to reach eligible children.

Among Iloilo’s 43 local government units, Guimbal recorded the highest coverage at 100.76%, indicating that it vaccinated more children than its projected target.

San Enrique followed with 100% coverage, Tigbauan with 99.8% and Miagao with 98.44%.

Estancia recorded the lowest coverage at 37.85%, followed by Carles at 47.37% and Zarraga at 49.08%.

IPHO chief Maria Socorro Quiñon attributed the province’s progress to the sustained efforts of health workers, particularly those serving geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities.

She said vaccinators traveled to mountainous and coastal areas, braving rough seas, rain and difficult terrain to reach children.

Quiñon also thanked parents and guardians who brought their children to vaccination sites.

“They chose not to listen to fake news, and they chose to support this undertaking,” Quiñon said.

As of Sept. 5, the Iloilo Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit had recorded 62 measles and rubella cases, down 74.3% from the 241 cases reported during the same period in 2025.

No deaths were recorded in either period.

The MR-SIA is part of the Department of Health’s 2026 Ligtas Tigdas initiative, which seeks to close immunization gaps and prevent outbreaks among eligible children.

The measles-rubella vaccine is provided free regardless of a child’s previous immunization status.

The supplemental activity provides another opportunity for protection but does not replace routine childhood vaccination.

Health authorities aim to vaccinate at least 95% of eligible children. The World Health Organization recommends maintaining at least 95% coverage with two measles-containing vaccine doses to help interrupt community transmission.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause fever and rash and lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain.

Rubella is generally mild but can cause miscarriage, fetal death or congenital rubella syndrome when contracted during pregnancy. The syndrome can result in serious birth defects affecting the heart, eyes, ears and brain, according to the WHO.

The Western Visayas campaign targets 408,114 children and was launched after reported measles and rubella cases in the region increased by 41%, from 315 in 2024 to 444 in 2025.

The campaign is part of a phased national immunization drive. Mindanao conducted the first phase, followed by Metro Manila and neighboring areas in the second phase and other regions, including Western Visayas, in the third phase.

The continuing vaccination effort comes amid persistent challenges to routine childhood immunization in the Philippines.

The 2017 Dengvaxia controversy contributed to declining vaccine confidence, according to the WHO.

Declining immunization coverage preceded a major measles outbreak in 2019 that resulted in 47,871 cases and 632 deaths nationwide, many involving children.