ILOILO City — Alarmed by the 41-percent increase in suspected measles-rubella cases across Western Visayas, the Department of Health (DOH) has launched a stepped-up regionwide vaccination campaign, with provincial leaders urging parents to have their children immunized during the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR SIA) from Aug. 10 to 28.
The campaign comes after DOH Region 6 recorded 444 suspected measles-rubella cases in 2025, significantly higher than the 314 cases reported in 2024.
Health authorities attributed the increase primarily to low immunization coverage and persistent vaccine hesitancy among parents.
Iloilo Province logged the highest number of cases with 291, more than double the 129 cases recorded the previous year.
Iloilo City reported 72 cases, followed by Antique with 40, Capiz with 20, Aklan with 15, and Guimaras with six.
To curb the spread of the highly contagious diseases, DOH-6 will conduct free vaccinations in Rural Health Units and designated fixed and temporary vaccination sites throughout the region.
Dr. John Andrew Camposano, an infectious disease pediatrician, emphasized that vaccination remains the most effective protection against severe illness.
“Sa mga bata nga na bakunahan pero nagka-inpeksyon, usually ang ila nga masakit mas less severe (indi sya grabe) compared sa mga bata nga wala gid ya na bakunahan. Ang bakuna safe, epektibo kag indi kinahanglan mag gasto,” said Camposano.
The vaccination campaign targets children aged six to 59 months and seeks to increase community immunity against measles and rubella, diseases that can cause severe complications, hospitalization, and even death.
Guimaras’ Gov. Ma. Lucille L. Nava appealed to parents and guardians to support the campaign, stressing that vaccination saves lives.
“Ini nga balatian, makatuga sang komplikasyon nga possible mahulog sa kamatayon, ang mga masakit nga ini pwede malikawan paagi sang pagpabakuna,” Nava said.
She also urged parents to ensure that eligible children receive their vaccines during the Aug. 10-28 campaign.
“Gani, gina hinyo ko gid ang tanan nga mga ginikanan nga mag ugyon sa pagahiwaton nga pamakuna para sa kabataan nga naga edad six to 59 months old ukon anum ka bulan, tubtob wala pa kalab-ot lima ka tuig sa palaabuton nga Agosto 10-28. Ang ini nga bakuna, epektibo, safe, kag libre,” she said.
Antique’s Gov. Paolo Everardo Javier likewise called on parents to protect their children through vaccination.
“Sa aton nanay kag tatay, ako gid nagahinyo sa inyo nga tanan nga magpasakop sa palaabuton nga Measles-Rubella supplemental immunization activity. Ang tigdas kag makayha makalalaton nga balatian nga makaresulta sang seryoso nga mga complications, pagka-ospital ukon kamatayon,” Javier said.
Dr. Jose Martin Atienza, Medical Officer IV and National Immunization Program Coordinator of DOH-6, underscored the urgent need to improve vaccination coverage, particularly in areas with the highest number of reported cases./PN
