DOH warns of measles outbreak risk in Mindanao amid missed vaccination target

Health authorities warned on Saturday that measles-rubella outbreaks remain a risk in Mindanao as a significant number of children have yet to receive routine immunization.

In a radio interview, the Department of Health (DOH) reported that 520,645 children under five years old in Mindanao are still unvaccinated against measles and rubella.

Following the conclusion of the DOH’s Measles-Rubella and Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA) programs in the area on Friday, the agency said it had reached only 82% of its vaccination target.

The initial goal was 2.8 million children in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), or 95% coverage, to achieve herd immunity.

“Ang konsepto kasi ng herd immunity naipaliwanag ko na ito noong COVID-19: Pag maraming hindi bakunado, mas mabilis magkakahawahan, mas mabilis mag-outbreak kasi mas maraming vulnerable kids,” DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.

He explained that achieving high immunization coverage is key to preventing the spread of measles.

“Pag protektado ang 95%, hindi magkikita-kita yung mga may measles kasi ang ma-expose sila sa taong may vaccine na. So hindi kakalat yung virus," Herbosa said. 

"Kaya natin ginagawa itong measles, rubella, supplemental immunization,” he added.

Herbosa noted that repeated shortfalls in vaccination targets over the years would increase the number of unvaccinated children, further raising the risk of outbreaks.

The DOH continues to remind parents and guardians to ensure their children receive measles-rubella vaccines.

Earlier, the Imam Council of the Philippines expressed support for the government’s vaccination efforts, noting that such programs do not conflict with Islamic teachings.

“Hindi lang tayo dasal nang 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," they said.

(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 council said that vaccination is consistent with Islamic teachings on safeguarding health and life.

"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,” they said.

(The concept of Islam is that as long as an action does not harm the body or mind of each person, it is important to value the preservation of our lives.)

They also addressed concerns about vaccine safety and stressed the importance of preventive action.

“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." the council said.

(What exactly is this vaccine? Does it contain anything that should not be put in the human body? It's not just prayers. Not just for Allah, but it is also important for prevention.)

"Yan ang kahalagahan ng ganitong pagbabakuna po ng ating mga anak na nangangailangan po nitong bakuna,” they added.

(This is the importance of this type of vaccination for our children who need it.)—MCG, GMA Integrated News