Imam Council express support for vaccines, vaccination drives

The Imam Council of the Philippines expressed support for the Department of Health’s (DOH)  vaccination program that was implemented in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In a statement on Friday, Imam Council of the Philippines President Imam Police Colonel Ebra Moxsir emphasized the importance of vaccinations to prevent the spread of illnesses in children.

He noted that the concept of Islam does not disallow such protections, and that vaccinations must still be done on top of prayers to Allah.

“Hindi lang tayo dasal ng dasal. Ilapit natin at pabakunahan natin yung mga anak po natin. Para po yan sa protection ng ating mga anak at ating mga mahal sa buhay. Ang concept ng Islam ay basta hindi nakakasira sa katawan o mind ng bawa’t tao. Mahalaga po yun na mabigyan natin ng kahalagahan itong pag-preserba sa ating buhay,” he shared.

(We can't just keep on praying. We need to bring our children and have them vaccinated. That is for the protection of our children and loved ones. The concept of Islam is as long as an action does not ruin the body or mind of each person. It is important that we will be able to value the preservation of our lives.)

Moxsir said the Council will continue to conduct information and education drives to help people understand the importance of vaccination efforts better.

He also encouraged the public to seek vaccinations and other health services from hospitals and local health providers.

“Ano ba itong bakuna? Ito ba ay may halong hindi karapat-dapat na maipasok sa katawan ng tao? Hindi lang panalangin. Hindi lang siya kay Allah, kundi mahalaga din po itong mga ganito para po sa prevention. Yan ang kahalagahan ng ganitong pagbabakuna po ng ating mga anak na nangangailangan po nitong bakuna,” he added.

(What exactly is this vaccine? Does this have components that cannot be added into the body of a person? It's not just prayers. Not just for Allah, but it's also important to do this for prevention. This is the importance of these types of vaccinations for our children who need these vaccines.)

The implementation of the first phase of DOH’s Ligtas Tigdas vaccination drive began in General Santos City on January 19 and ended this Friday.

The agency said vaccination of children will continue in fixed sites such as hospitals and designated health centers.

The second phase of the campaign will be held in the Visayas and Mindanao in the later part of 2026.

"Sa pamamagitan ng Ligtas-Tigdas Vaccination, paiigtingin ng kagawaran, katuwang ang lokal na pamahalaan, ang bakunahan kontra-tigdas o measles at tigdas-hangin o rubella para mapigilan ang pagkamatay ng mga bata dahil sa sakit," read a statement by Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.

(Through the Ligtas-Tigdas Vaccination campaign, the department, with the assistance of local government units, will strengthen vaccination efforts against tigdas or measles and tigdas-hangin or rubella to prevent the death of children due to this illness.) — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News