The Department of Health (DOH) reported that more than one million children in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) were vaccinated against measles during the first week of the DOH–Ligtas Tigdas campaign.
As of Saturday, January 23, the number accounts for 36 percent of the DOH’s 2.8 million target children aged six to 59 months, or under five years old, under Phase 1 of the nationwide measles vaccination effort.
Northern Mindanao recorded the highest number of vaccinated children, with about 230,000 receiving measles-containing vaccines after their parents or guardians brought them to vaccination sites.
The DOH said the campaign covers vaccination against measles and rubella (tigdas-hangin) and includes the distribution of Vitamin A supplements to help improve children’s immune systems and reduce the risk of severe infections.
Health officials earlier warned that measles is highly contagious, noting that one child with measles can infect up to 16 unvaccinated children. Because of this high transmission rate, the DOH stressed that increasing vaccination coverage is critical to preventing outbreaks, hospitalizations, and measles-related deaths, especially among young children.
The Ligtas Tigdas vaccination campaign in Mindanao and BARMM will continue until February, according to the DOH. The program will then be rolled out in Luzon and the Visayas in June as part of the agency’s broader effort to strengthen routine immunization and outbreak prevention nationwide.
The DOH said vaccination activities are being conducted in communities through the combined efforts of regional health offices, local government units, and barangay health workers.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to coordinate with their respective local government units or health centers for information on vaccination schedules and sites, as the DOH continues to urge full participation to protect children from measles.
