MR-SIA VAS campaign targets 216,232 children

By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino A health worker administers a measles-rubella vaccine to a child held by her mother during the MR-SIA VAS pro...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino

A health worker administers a measles-rubella vaccine to a child held by her mother during the MR-SIA VAS provincial launch in Infanta. (QPHO)

INFANTA, Quezon - Opening Quezon’s “Ligtas Tigdas” campaign, Gov. Angelina "Helen" Tan and the Provincial Health Office led a ceremonial vaccination at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City on Aug. 10, 2026. The activity marked the provincial rollout of Phase III of the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity, which targets children aged six to 59 months.

During the ceremonial vaccination, health workers administered measles-rubella vaccines to eligible children accompanied by their parents and caregivers. The ceremony put the 216,232-child target into motion as vaccination teams began the three-week rollout.



Beyond Quezon, the drive forms part of the Department of Health’s nationwide “Ligtas Tigdas” initiative covering Luzon outside Metro Manila and the Visayas through Aug. 28. It seeks to close immunity gaps that could allow measles and rubella outbreaks to spread through vulnerable communities.

According to the Quezon Provincial Health Office, the Day 1 report released on Aug. 11 was based on preliminary information from the MR-SIA VAS VaccTrack dashboard. The figures covered entries submitted as of 10 p.m. on Aug. 10 and remain subject to further validation.

Quezon’s municipalities have a target population of 188,245 children, while Lucena City separately targets 27,987 eligible children. The preliminary total included 7,752 vaccinations across the province and another 166 administered in Lucena City.

Quezon reached 4.1 percent of its provincial target during the opening day, leaving 180,493 eligible children still to be vaccinated. Lucena posted an initial coverage rate of 0.6 percent, with 27,821 targeted children awaiting vaccination during the same reporting period.

Provincial Health Officer I Dr. Lorene Garcia-Salonga said the rollout would depend on sustained public participation beyond the opening ceremony. She noted that every vaccinated child brings the province closer to protecting its remaining eligible population.

“Ang pagbabakuna po ay ligtas at nakatutulong upang mabigyan ng lakas at proteksiyon ang ating mga anak. Kaya sa ating mga magulang, maglaan po kayo ng panahon para sa kanilang pagpapabakuna,” Garcia-Salonga said.

Among those vaccinated across Quezon, 972 were aged six to 12 months and 1,598 were aged 13 to 23 months. The largest group consisted of 5,182 children aged 24 to 59 months, representing 4.2 percent of the target for that age bracket.

The provincial dashboard separately listed 181 vaccinated children under its “zero-dose” category without further explaining the classification in the public report. It also recorded 134 vaccine refusals and 736 deferrals but did not provide the specific reasons behind those cases.

Candelaria recorded the highest number of vaccinations among municipal reports in the dashboard with 1,227 children, followed closely by Lopez with 1,191. Sariaya posted 662 vaccinations, while Tayabas City reached 584 children and Tiaong recorded another 403 during the opening day.

Alabat posted the highest preliminary municipal coverage at 13.9 percent, followed by Lopez at 12.9 percent and Quezon town at 9.8 percent. These comparisons remain provisional because only 349 of Quezon’s 1,209 barangays and 20 of Lucena’s 33 barangays had submitted reports.

All eligible children aged six to 59 months are covered by the supplemental campaign, regardless of whether they previously received measles-rubella vaccines. Vitamin A supplementation is also being offered, although the PHO did not provide a separate accomplishment figure for children receiving the supplement.

Measles symptoms may include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, white spots inside the mouth and rashes appearing after the fever. Infected people can transmit the virus even before visible skin symptoms begin to develop.

Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that can cause pneumonia, brain inflammation, blindness and death, particularly among vulnerable young children. Rubella may cause miscarriage, fetal death or congenital rubella syndrome when infection occurs during pregnancy, according to the World Health Organization.

Garcia-Salonga also credited frontline personnel and local officials with extending the campaign into different communities. Nurses, midwives, barangay health workers, nutrition scholars, village captains and council members are helping communicate schedules and health guidance.

“Sa ating mga healthcare worker, kayo po ang puso ng kampanya sa bawat komunidad. Sa ating mga barangay leader, kayo po ang boses namin sa pagpapalaganap ng tamang impormasyon,” Garcia-Salonga said.

Parents may bring eligible children to the nearest health center, barangay health station or designated vaccination post until the campaign ends on Aug. 28. The PHO urged families to reject vaccine misinformation and rely on guidance from the DOH, local officials and trained health workers.