Mindanao anti-measles drive fails to meet target

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February 22, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health yesterday warned of a possible measles outbreak in Mindanao after a DOH vaccination campaign failed to meet the target number of children to be immunized against the disease.

The health agency said more than half a million children in Mindanao are still unvaccinated against measles after the “Ligtas Tigdas” program failed to cover 95 percent of 2.8 million children.

The DOH launched the immunization program on Jan. 19.

“The first phase of the measles-rubella supplemental immunization activity has been completed, but we were not able to reach our target of 95 percent,” the DOH said.

Despite the month-long “Ligtas Tigdas”activity across Mindanao, health officials noted that 520,645 children below five years old were still not able to receive protection against measles and rubella.

“As of Feb. 20, only 2.3 million children or 82 percent of the target were served during the activity conducted in various vaccination sites established by local government units,” the DOH said.

The agency said there is a need to meet the 95-percent target in Mindanao including in the Bangsamoro region to be able to achieve herd immunity and prevent a measles outbreak.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said that under the concept of herd immunity, the higher the number of vaccinated children, the lower the chance for the virus to spread.

The possibility of an outbreak is higher if more children are not protected against the disease, Herbosa said.

Although the vaccination campaign in Mindanao has ended, the DOH reminded residents that routine immunization continues in local health centers.

The anti-measles campaign will be expanded to Luzon and the Visayas in June, targeting 11 million children.