Intensified efforts of vaccination against measles and rubella are being conducted in Northern Mindanao. Photo courtesy of DOH-10.
Northern Mindanao authorities are intensifying efforts to vaccinate children against measles and rubella, particularly in rural communities, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.
The DOH-10 Family Center reported that more than 412,000 children have received immunizations so far, covering 78.8 percent of the 500,000 target for 2026.
Vaccination sites have been widened to include temporary facilities such as covered courts in barangays to ensure greater accessibility.
On-site vaccination is conducted to maintain the effectiveness of the vaccine, with social mobilizers and barangay health workers visiting households to encourage parents to bring their children.
Clinics and hospitals provide weekend vaccination services, and public spaces including shopping malls are also being used to reach more children.
The Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity runs from January 19 to February 13, aiming to cover 90 to 95 percent of children aged 6 to 59 months.
Officials said the campaign is part of broader government measures to prevent outbreaks and strengthen immunization coverage among vulnerable populations.