DOH notes rise in measles cases, pushes vaccination

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded over 5,000 cases of measles and rubella (MR) nationwide.

“From Jan. 1, 2025 to Jan. 3, 2026, measles and rubella cases reached 5,159. This is 32 percent higher compared to 3,901 cases posted in 2024,” the DOH said in a televised public briefing.

Of the total cases, 73 percent were unvaccinated.

Among the regions with children having no protection from MR are Mimaropa, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the National Capital Region.

To address this, the DOH said a supplemental immunization activity against measles and rubella in Mindanao will commence tomorrow, targeting 2.8 million children six months to five years old.

The DOH said there are several children in Mindanao with no vaccines yet against measles and rubella. “Many are not vaccinated in Mindanao, there is a need to do catch up,” it noted.

At the same time, the department pointed to Ramadan as a reason for conducting the vaccination program earlier than in Luzon and the Visayas.

“We know that Ramadan will begin on Feb. 17. We don’t want to get in the way (of this religious activity) while they are reflecting during Ramadan. It is better that children (in Mindanao) are vaccinated (earlier),” said the DOH.