DOLE urges firms to conduct measles, rubella vaccinations for employees' kids

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has urged employers in the private sector to host immunization initiatives in the workplace and to excuse their employees from their duties should they accompany their young children for vaccinations.

This is according to Labor Advisory 02-2026 dated February 9 on the “Guidelines on the Administration of Measles-Rubella and Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA).”

Firms that have their own immunization programs were “strongly encouraged” to conduct vaccinations against measles, rubella, etc. for their employees’ children under five years old at the workplace.

The DOLE said this would be part of their occupational safety and health (OSH) or family welfare program.

Employers were also urged to coordinate with the health department of their respective local government units (LGU) on the schedule of immunization activities in their areas.

The Department of Health has scheduled its MR-SIA in Luzon and the Visayas in June 2026. The MR-SIA for Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) began on January 19 and will end on February 13.

In addition, the DOLE also called on employers to let their employees accompany their children under five years old for vaccinations.

“Employers are strongly encouraged to allow employees to be excused from work when they accompany their children for scheduled vaccinations, or when they must care for their children due to adverse effects or reactions to the vaccine on the day after vaccination,” the labor advisory said.

Upon returning to work, the employee shall present proof of the child’s vaccination. The employee may be also allowed to use available leave credits during the MR-SIA, subject to company policy or the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that permits it.

The DOLE also called on employers to provide information on measles-rubella vaccines through online and offline channels such as seminars, information sessions, and educational materials to their employees. — JMA, GMA Integrated News