DOH-Davao Officially Kicks Off Measles-Rubella Immunization Drive in Davao City
The Department of Health–Davao Region (DOH-Davao) officially rolled out the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA) on Monday morning, January 19, 2026, at SM Lanang Premier in Davao City. The ceremonial launch featured the first symbolic vaccinations of children from Barangay Ubalde and was attended by several city officials, marking a significant step in the nationwide public health effort.
Nearly 1.9 Million Children in Mindanao Already Protected Against Measles-Rubella
According to the latest data from the Department of Health (DOH), a total of 1,899,824 children aged six to 59 months across Mindanao have already received anti-measles jabs as part of the ongoing campaign. This impressive figure was achieved in just the second week of the Ligtas Tigdas initiative, demonstrating the rapid progress of immunization efforts in the region.
The DOH emphasized that the Ligtas Tigdas campaign is a collaborative effort between the national health agency and local government units, aimed at protecting children from hospitalization and death caused by measles and rubella. Despite the early success, the department noted that 958,285 children in Mindanao are still targeted for immunization as of February 1, 2026, highlighting the need for continued outreach and vaccination activities.
Regional Breakdown of Immunization Progress Across Mindanao
The DOH provided a detailed regional breakdown of the vaccination status, revealing varying levels of coverage across Mindanao:
- Davao Region: This area has the highest number of children still needing vaccination, with 230,386 yet to be reached, while 282,623 have already been immunized.
- Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: Here, 201,959 children have yet to be vaccinated, compared to 375,271 who have received their shots.
- Soccsksargen: A total of 170,538 children remain unvaccinated, while 280,712 have been protected against measles-rubella.
- Zamboanga Peninsula: In this region, 147,542 children still need vaccination, even as 376,164 have already been immunized.
- Northern Mindanao: There are 141,555 children who have yet to receive measles shots, while 382,064 have been vaccinated.
- Caraga: The DOH still needs to reach 66,305 children in this area, with 202,990 already immunized against measles-rubella.
Phase 1 of MR-SIA Program Runs Until Mid-February
The DOH launched Phase 1 of the MR-SIA program in Mindanao on January 19, 2026, which is scheduled to run until February 13, 2026. This targeted campaign underscores the government's commitment to improving public health outcomes and preventing outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles and rubella. The ongoing efforts aim to ensure that all eligible children in the region receive timely vaccinations, contributing to broader national health goals and community well-being.
