Baguio city: The Department of Health in Cordillera Administrative Region is targeting to vaccinate about 150,816 children aged six to 59 months for measles and rubella (MR) from August 10 to 28.

According to Philippines News Agency, DOH-CAR encourages parents and guardians through a Facebook post to visit their nearest health center and inquire about the free, safe, and effective Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity. The post emphasizes the importance of protecting every child and building a healthier Cordillera.

In a text message, Karl Sam, chief of DOH-CAR Communications Management Unit, detailed the targets as 19,064 children aged six to 12 months; 30,269 for ages 13 to 23 months; and 101,483 for ages 24 to 59 months. Nationwide, 11 million children are expected to benefit from this initiative.

Sam explained that the vaccination is a non-selective supplemental immunization activity, encouraging all eligible children aged 6 to 59 months to receive the MR vaccine regardless of their previous MR vaccination status, unless there is a medical contraindication. The extra dose is intended to enhance protection and close immunity gaps.

He further mentioned that the DOH has conducted similar MR-SIA campaigns in previous years, including nationwide efforts in 2019. Before the 2026 campaign, the DOH also carried out catch-up immunization activities in 2023 and 2025 due to an increase in measles and rubella cases in 2025 after many children missed routine vaccinations. Approximately 73 percent of reported measles-rubella cases were among unvaccinated children.