Measles cases surge 41% in Western Visayas as vaccine coverage stalls

Atienza pointed to vaccine hesitancy and a lack of awareness among parents about immunization schedules as the main barriers.

“This disease, though highly infectious, can be prevented,” he said. “One of the best ways to stop the spread of infection is through measles-containing vaccines, which are given for free in health centers.”

The DOH-6 plans to roll out Phase 3 of its Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity from Aug. 10 to 28. The campaign targets 408,114 children aged 6 to 59 months across Western Visayas, regardless of their vaccination status. It will provide MR vaccine doses and Vitamin A supplementation.

Breakdown by province: 172,360 in Iloilo province, 68,665 in Capiz, 56,730 in Antique, 52,749 in Aklan, 40,973 in Iloilo City, and 16,637 in Guimaras.

Earlier phases covered Mindanao, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, and Metro Manila with adjacent areas in Regions 3 and 4A.

Measles spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Rubella, or German measles, follows the same airborne route. Both are among the 14 vaccine-preventable illnesses under the national immunization program. The first MR dose is recommended at nine months, the second at 12 months.