Calabarzon races to vaccinate more children as measles-rubella campaign nears end

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 06, 2026

Photo courtesy: Philippine Red Cross

PHILIPPINES – Health officials in Calabarzon are stepping up efforts to reach hundreds of thousands of children who have yet to receive measles-rubella vaccines, as the region’s immunization campaign enters its final stretch.

More than 758,000 children aged six months to five years have been vaccinated under the government’s Ligtas Tigdas 2026 campaign but the figure represents just 56.8% of the region’s 1.34-million target.

The campaign was extended to September 4 after bad weather disrupted vaccination activities, giving health workers more time to reach children who missed the initial rollout.

Laguna recorded the highest vaccination coverage at 71.7%, while other areas in the region remained below 55%, highlighting the uneven pace of immunization across Calabarzon.

Aside from measles-rubella vaccination, more than 674,000 children have also received vitamin A supplementation, covering about 47% of the target population.

Health officials continue to face challenges from vaccine misinformation and misconceptions, which they say can discourage parents from having their children immunized.

The Department of Health is urging parents and guardians to take advantage of the campaign, stressing that measles and rubella are highly contagious but can be prevented through vaccination.