Iligan health professionals urge parents to vaccinate children vs measles, rubella

TheMonitorMindanaoToday.com | Iligan health professionals urge parents to vaccinate children vs measles, rubella

By: Lou Ellen L. Antonio

ILIGAN CITY — Health professionals in Iligan are urging parents and guardians to have their children aged six months to 59 months vaccinated against measles and rubella.

This effort is part of the Department of Health’s (DOH) Measles-Rubella (MR) LIGTAS Supplemental Immunization Activity (SIA) for 2026, aimed at preventing a nationwide measles outbreak and protecting children from the disease.

The MR SIA will run in Mindanao, including Iligan City, from January 19 to February 13, 2026. Vaccination campaigns in Luzon and the Visayas are scheduled for June 2026. The goal is to vaccinate at least 95% of children in the target age group, regardless of their previous vaccination status.

According to DOH surveillance data, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, and the National Capital Region recorded the highest number of confirmed measles cases in 2025.

Dr. Glenn L. Manarpaac, acting city health officer, said the Regional Verification Committee (RVC) confirmed in September 2025 that measles and rubella transmission remains a concern nationwide. He stressed that measles is a highly contagious disease, particularly for young, unvaccinated children.

“Dugang kasayuran, ang measles (tipdas) usa ka grabe ug mananakod nga sakit, diin ang 1 ka bata nga positibo sa measles pwede kini makatakod hangtud 18 ka bata, hilabi na, katong wala mabakunahi, kulang sa bakuna ug katong mga bata nga ga-edad ubos 5 anyos ang mas dali nga mataptan,” he said.

(Additionally, measles is a serious and highly contagious disease, where one child who is positive for measles can infect up to 18 other children, especially those who are unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, and children under five years old, who are more vulnerable to infection.)

Manarpaac said measles spreads through the air and can cause high fever, cough, colds, red eyes, and rashes. Severe cases may lead to complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, blindness, brain infections (encephalitis), and even death.

“Isip mga Iliganon, aduna kitay gahum aron ma protektahan ang atong mga kabatan pina-agi sa paghatag ug libre, luwas, ug epektibo nga bakuna batok measles ug rubella. Among gilauman ang inyong hugot nga pagsuporta ug pagsanong niining among hangyo ug panawagan kaninyo aron atong mapanalipdan ang matag kinabuhi sa atong kabataan,” he said.

(As Iliganons, we have the power to protect our children by providing free, safe, and effective vaccines against measles and rubella. We are hoping for your full support and cooperation in heeding this call so that we can protect every child’s life.)

City Health Office Immunization Program Manager Ed Krishna Alivio emphasized that the MR SIA aims to prevent potential outbreaks. He noted that many children have not completed the required two doses of the measles vaccine, leaving them vulnerable as measles remains endemic in the country.

“Akong panawagan sa mga mama, una sa tanan, magpabakuna jud sila sa ilang mga anak. Ang atong bakuna epektibo ug luwas na siya. Dugay na ni, mga 50 anyos na kini nga ginahatag sa mga bata, so dili ta angay mabalaka,” he said.

(My appeal to all mothers is, first and foremost, to have their children vaccinated. Our vaccine is safe and effective. It has been given to children for about 50 years, so there is no need to worry.)

Jose Lee Vanguardia, Development Management Officer of the Department of Health-10, stressed the importance of achieving herd immunity to protect the broader population.

“It is very hight time for us to really avail the vaccination program and immunization kay makahatag ni og proteksyon, labi na sa mga bata, para matagaan og proteksyon regarding sa measles, tipdas, para makakuha ta sa target nga 95% ang above nga vaccination rate, so dapat makakuha ta sa target nga population,” he said.

(It is very high time for us to really avail of the vaccination program and immunization, as this will provide protection, especially for the children, to safeguard them against measles (tipdas), and to help us reach the target 95% vaccination rate. We must ensure that we cover the entire target population.)

Vaccination will take place at barangay health centers, fixed health facilities, and temporary vaccination sites, with health teams also visiting communities. Parents are encouraged to coordinate with their respective barangay health centers for vaccination schedules. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)

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