Davao: Health and interior department officials urged barangay leaders Thursday to intensify support for an upcoming measles-rubella vaccination campaign aiming to protect over 513,000 children in the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, with the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity starting Jan. 19, Department of the Interior and Local Government-Davao (DILG-11) Director Abdullah Matalam called for strong community mobilization. "We call on your strong support because the success of this activity depends on your active engagement in mobilizing communities. We must ensure that no child is left behind in the immunization," Matalam said during a virtual town hall.

He stressed the need for coordination with health workers, schools, parents' groups, and faith leaders to widen coverage and counter misinformation. Department of Health-Davao officer in charge Dr. Ellenietta Gamolo emphasized the primary goal is to protect children from preventable diseases, stating, "Every child has the right to be healthy. No child should get sick-or worse, die-because of vaccine-preventable diseases."

Children aged six months to 59 months are eligible for a free additional vaccine dose regardless of previous vaccination status.