The Department of Health in Cordillera Administrative Region is targeting to vaccinate about 150,816 children aged six to 59 months for measles and rubella (MR) on Aug. 10 to 28.

In a Facebook post, DOH-CAR “encourages parents and guardians to visit their nearest health center and ask about the free, safe, and effective Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity.”

“Let’s continue protecting every child and building a healthier Cordillera,” the post added.

In a text message, Karl Sam, chief of DOH-CAR Communications Management Unit, said the targets are 19,064 children ages six to 12 months; 30,269 for ages 13 to 23 months; and 101,483 for ages 24 to 59 months.

Nationwide, 11 million children are expected to benefit.

Sam said the vaccination is a non-selective supplemental immunization activity.

“All eligible children aged 6 to 59 months are encouraged to receive the MR vaccine regardless of their previous MR vaccination status, unless there is a medical contraindication. The extra dose is intended to strengthen protection and close immunity gaps,” he said.

He added that the DOH has conducted MR-SIA several times in previous years, including nationwide campaigns in 2019.

Before the 2026 campaign, DOH also carried out catch-up immunization activities in 2023 and 2025.

DOH records show that measles and rubella cases increased in 2025 after many children missed routine vaccinations in recent years, prompting the conduct of supplemental immunization activity.

About 73 percent of reported measles-rubella cases were among unvaccinated children. (PNA)