476,679 children in Calabarzon vaccinated against measles, rubella

LUCENA CITY — The Department of Health (DOH) in the Calabarzon region urged parents and caregivers to have their children vaccinated against measles and rubella as the region’s supplemental immunization campaign reached its ninth day on Thursday (Aug. 20).

In a report on Friday, Aug. 21, DOH said 476,679 children, or 35.7 percent of the region’s 1,335,685 target population, had received measles-rubella (MR) vaccines as of 10 p.m. on Thursday.

READ: Mimaropa measles-rubella vaccine drive reaches 35% coverage

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The Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR SIA), dubbed “Ligtas Tigdas 2026,” is being conducted from Aug. 10 to 28.

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“Let us continue strengthening protection for children against measles and rubella. Bring children aged 6 to 59 months, regardless of their vaccination status, to designated fixed or temporary vaccination sites in your area,” the DOH-CHD said in a Filipino advisory.

Laguna posted the highest vaccination rate among the provinces and cities in the region, with 136,641 children, or 51 percent of its target, vaccinated.

It was followed by Quezon with 66,649 children, or 35.4 percent; Batangas with 87,462, or 33.8 percent; Cavite with 122,800, or 33.3 percent; Lucena City with 8,344, or 29.8 percent; and Rizal with 54,783, or 24.4 percent.

Meanwhile, 409,667 children had received Vitamin A supplementation, representing 28.5 percent of the reported target population of 1,436,443.

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“Behind every vaccinated child is the dedication and compassion of our health workers, who continue to go into communities, provide accurate information, and serve the people,” the agency said.

Measles and rubella are highly contagious viral diseases caused by different viruses. Measles is caused by the rubeola virus, while rubella is caused by the rubella virus. Both diseases can be prevented through vaccination.

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DOH data showed that the Philippines recorded 1,627 measles and rubella cases from Jan. 4 to March 21, 2026, a 45-percent increase from the 1,121 cases recorded during the same period in 2025.

The DOH stressed that measles-rubella vaccines are safe and effective and provide the best protection against the diseases and their potentially serious complications.

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The agency said health workers would continue efforts to reach children across Calabarzon throughout the immunization campaign. INQ