Mindanao: More than 2.2 million children aged 6 to 59 months in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have already been vaccinated against measles and rubella, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday. In a situation report covering January 19 to February 10 of its Ligtas Tigdas Vaccination Campaign, the DOH reported that 2,220,284 children have been vaccinated across Mindanao and BARMM, providing protection against these highly contagious and potentially deadly diseases.

According to Philippines News Agency, data revealed that BARMM recorded the highest number of vaccinated children at 484,229, or 84 percent coverage, while the Zamboanga Peninsula logged 433,690 vaccinated children, amounting to 83 percent. Northern Mindanao followed closely with 426,692 children vaccinated, achieving an 81 percent coverage rate. In the Davao Region, 320,506 children were vaccinated, reaching 62 percent coverage, while Soccsksargen reported 333,472 vaccinated children, translating to a 74 percent coverage. The Caraga Region achieved 82 percent coverage with 221,695 children vaccinated.

Despite these gains, the DOH noted that hundreds of thousands of children remain unvaccinated, including 192,503 in the Davao Region, 117,778 in Soccsksargen, 96,927 in Northern Mindanao, 93,001 in BARMM, 90,016 in the Zamboanga Peninsula, and 47,600 in Caraga, leaving them vulnerable to infection.

The DOH has renewed its call for parents and guardians to bring children below five years old to the nearest vaccination sites and health centers. The department also highlighted the importance of consulting nurses and midwives in barangays to ensure that children receive the necessary vaccines. It emphasized that vaccination remains the most effective protection against measles and rubella, which can cause serious complications and even death, particularly among young children.