ILOILO — Iloilo province has emerged as the frontrunner in Western Visayas’ intensified measles-rubella vaccination campaign, reaching 67.7 percent coverage as health workers race to find and immunize children still vulnerable to the highly contagious diseases.
The province posted the highest accomplishment rate in the region as Western Visayas reached an overall 62 percent coverage in the ongoing Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA), data from the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 showed.
The figures underscore both the gains made by the vaccination campaign and the work that remains as health authorities push toward broader immunity against measles and rubella.
Antique ranked second with 63.5 percent coverage, followed by Guimaras at 59.3 percent, Iloilo City at 57.4 percent, Capiz at 57.1 percent and Aklan at 52.9 percent.
Health personnel and local government units have intensified door-to-door vaccination, community health center operations and fixed-site immunization activities to reach eligible children, particularly those in far-flung and underserved communities.
The MR-SIA forms part of DOH’s nationwide strategy to close immunity gaps and prevent outbreaks of measles and rubella, also known as German measles.
Both are vaccine-preventable viral infections that can pose serious risks, particularly to infants and young children. Complications may include pneumonia, brain swelling, congenital defects and permanent disability.
FRONTLINERS KEY TO CAMPAIGN
The regional campaign relies heavily on Provincial Health Offices and thousands of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), who serve as the crucial link between families and government health services.
Aside from helping facilitate vaccination, BHWs conduct health education to address vaccine hesitancy and provide parents with information on vaccine safety and effectiveness.
They also map communities and track eligible children, including those living in remote areas, while organizing localized vaccination schedules to make immunization more accessible to parents and guardians.
The campaign is also being incorporated into the regular health programs of local and provincial governments rather than being treated merely as a temporary response to the threat of outbreaks.
Integrating vaccination activities into primary healthcare services is intended to strengthen long-term community protection and improve the capacity of local health systems to respond to future public health threats.
38% GAP REMAINS
Despite reaching the 62-percent regional milestone, the campaign still has substantial ground to cover, with roughly 38 percent of the targeted coverage yet to be reached based on the reported accomplishment rate.
Health authorities are therefore continuing the vaccination drive across Western Visayas to strengthen population immunity and reduce the risk of measles and rubella outbreaks.
Parents and guardians are being urged to coordinate with their barangay health centers and local health units to ensure that eligible children receive their supplemental measles-rubella doses.
With Iloilo setting the regional pace at 67.7 percent, the challenge now is for the rest of Western Visayas to accelerate vaccination and close remaining immunity gaps before they leave communities vulnerable to preventable outbreaks./PN
