Western visayas: Parents and caregivers are encouraged to bring their children to the nearest health center for the measles-rubella supplemental immunization activity (MR SIA) and Vitamin A administration, which will be implemented in Western Visayas from August 10-28.

According to Philippines News Agency, in a press conference on Monday, Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) Regional Immunization Program Coordinator Dr. Jose Martin Atienza announced that Western Visayas is included in Phase III of the MR SIA. The initiative targets 408,114 children, aged 6 to 59 months, aiming to prevent an increase in measles and rubella cases and avert an impending outbreak.

Dr. Atienza highlighted that the spread of measles and rubella in the community is due to a failure to achieve 95 percent immunization coverage over the past few years, resulting in many under-vaccinated and unvaccinated children. In 2025, the region reported 444 cases of measles-rubella, a 41 percent increase from the 314 cases in 2024. Of these, 22 were laboratory-confirmed measles, six were laboratory-confirmed rubella, and eight were epidemiology-linked confirmed measles. Fortunately, no deaths or clustering of cases were reported.

Dr. Atienza emphasized that measles is a vaccine-preventable but contagious disease, and immunization, which is readily available and accessible in health centers through local government units, is crucial in stopping vaccine-preventable diseases. He assured that vaccines are safe, effective, and free for protecting children against common vaccine-preventable diseases.

Phase I of the MR SIA was conducted from January 19 to February 13 in all regions in Mindanao, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Phase II is currently ongoing in the National Capital Region and bordering barangays in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.