THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) reported on Monday that a total of 1.8 million children in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have been immunized against measles-rubella.
Under the Ligtas Tigdas supplemental activity since its rollout on Jan. 19, the total number of vaccinated children aged 6-59 months was 1,899,824.
The number represents 66.47% of the target population, which is 2,858,109. The remaining unvaccinated is at 958,285.
According to the Ligtas Tigdas Situation Report from January 19 to February 1, 2026, Caraga Region showed the highest coverage, with 202,990 children (75%) vaccinated and only 66,305 unvaccinated.
Region X, on the other hand, reported 382,064 vaccinated children (73%), with 141,555 still unprotected.
In Region IX, a total of 376,164 children (72%) are vaccinated and protected against measles, while 147,542 remain unvaccinated.
Meanwhile, in BARMM, 375,271 children, representing 65%, are vaccinated, while 201,959 remain unvaccinated.
Region XII has 280,712 vaccinated children (62%), while 170,538 are unprotected.
In Region XI, vaccination coverage had the lowest turnout, with 282,623 children (55%) vaccinated and 230,386 unvaccinated.
The program will run until Feb. 16, 2026.
According to the World Health Organization, measles and rubella are highly contagious, serious airborne diseases caused by a virus that can lead to severe complications and death. The agency stressed there is no cure for rubella, hence the need for vaccination.
