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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Vaccination is best protection!': Measles-rubella cases up 45%; over half unvaccinated

'Vaccination is best protection!': Measles-rubella cases up 45%; over half unvaccinated

Published Apr 7, 2026 06:04 pm
(MB FILE PHOTO)
(MB FILE PHOTO)
Measles-rubella (MR) cases in the country increased by 45 percent, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday, April 7.
In a statement, the DOH said it recorded 1,627 MR cases from Jan. 4 to March 21, 2026, higher than the 1,121 cases logged during the same period last year.
“This is 45 percent higher than the 1,121 MR cases recorded in the same period last year,” the agency said.
The health department noted more than half, or 1,111 or 68 percent, of the recorded cases were unvaccinated.
Based on DOH’s data, five regions with the highest number of cases were the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (344), Region XII (322), Region XI (163), the National Capital Region (158), and Region III (154).
The DOH said the national MR vaccination coverage stands at around 66 percent of the eligible population, with about 821,000 individuals still unvaccinated despite being eligible.
“We are saddened by the recently reported measles death in Quezon City (QC). Even as the vaccination rate for QC is at a commendable 96%, infants younger than the recommended age for first dose vaccination (typically 9 months for routine; 6 months for supplementary immunization activity) remain susceptible,” the DOH said.
“Neighbors should be vaccinated to protect those who cannot be,” it added.
The agency said measures such as outbreak response immunization (ORI) and active case finding (ACF) are being implemented to help protect ineligible children.
“Measles-Rubella vaccines are proven safe and effective. They are the best protection against the viruses and their deadly complications,” the DOH stressed.
The health department added that routine immunization continues nationwide, while preparations are underway for the measles-rubella supplemental immunization activity (MR-SIA) Phase 2 in Luzon and the Visayas.

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Vaccination is best protection measles rubella cases up 45 percent over half unvaccinated DOH
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