Legazpi: The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Bicol recently assembled governors, mayors, municipal health officers, and other local health leaders for the Local Chief Executive (LCE) Convergence. This high-level meeting, titled "A High-End Meeting with Governors and Mayors for Ligtas Tigdas 2026," aimed to bolster local government support for the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA) slated for August 10 to 28.
According to Philippines News Agency, Dr. Gisela Joyce Claveron-De La Rosa, the regional National Immunization Program medical coordinator, emphasized the meeting's goal to enhance the understanding of local leaders regarding the significance of the campaign and to encourage their advocacy for immunization efforts. The initiative targets the protection of children aged 6 to 59 months against measles and rubella, addressing vaccination coverage that has fallen short of the 95-percent target required to prevent outbreaks.
The supplemental immunization activity is designed to bridge immunity gaps following repeated measles and rubella cases linked to incomplete routine vaccination among children. Representatives from the DOH Central Office, World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines, CDC-Gabay Bakuna, UNICEF Philippines, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) engaged in discussions covering disease surveillance, campaign readiness, vaccine confidence, and supportive policies for the immunization drive.
Dr. De La Rosa stated that the DOH is enlisting the support of governors, mayors, and other local health leaders through executive orders or local ordinances to back the National Immunization Program, including the Ligtas Tigdas 2026 campaign. She highlighted the pivotal role of local leaders in persuading parents to vaccinate their children, as their endorsement can significantly enhance public trust and campaign reach.
Parents and guardians are urged to ensure their children receive the measles-rubella vaccine, which is characterized as safe, free, and effective. Vitamin A supplementation will also be part of the program. CDC-Gabay Bakuna consultant Dr. Enrique Tayag emphasized that the campaign is integral to the nationwide effort to avert measles outbreaks, following similar initiatives in Mindanao and the National Capital Region. He advised parents against delaying routine immunization, underscoring the importance of starting the measles vaccine at nine months of age and adhering to the recommended schedule.
Masbate Governor Richard Kho, whose province exceeded 100-percent measles-rubella immunization coverage in 2023, expressed the provincial government's commitment to maintaining robust coordination with municipalities and adopting best practices to uphold high vaccination rates. Kho also urged parental support for the vaccination campaign, highlighting immunization as a crucial method to safeguard children and secure their future health.
