Capitol, DOH-7 launch 3-week vaccination drive

Local

A THREE-WEEK vaccination campaign is giving health authorities another chance to reach children who may have been missed by routine immunization, with at least 630,000 youngsters in the region targeted for measles and rubella vaccines.

The Department of Health-Central Visayas (DOH 7) and the Cebu Provincial Government launched the 2026 Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA).

The campaign runs from Aug. 10 to 28 and covers children aged 6 to 59 months.

In Cebu, health workers will conduct vaccinations in cities and municipalities, including communities at the barangay level.

Dr. Faith Curaraton, DOH-7 Regional National Immunization Program medical coordinator, said the campaign will provide supplemental protection to children, particularly those who missed routine vaccinations.

She urged parents and guardians to have their eligible children vaccinated.

“It is free, it is safe, it is effective. Mao ra gyud na amoang mahatag sa mga bata para ma-protektahan sila,” Curaraton said during the regional launch at the Capitol Social Hall.

The campaign, called “Ligtas Tigdas 2026,” carries the theme “Bakuna at proteksyon ni baby, atong responsibility.”

The Cebu Provincial Government is deploying its health facilities and personnel to support the vaccination drive.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Sheila Faciol said the province’s 16 provincial and district hospitals will serve as vaccination sites, along with rural health units in Cebu’s cities and municipalities.

Barangay health workers will help identify and register eligible children.

The Provincial Health Office will coordinate with DOH 7 and local health offices during the campaign.

The provincial government had also established a task force to oversee the vaccination program.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro created the Provincial Immunization Task Force (ITF) through Executive Order No. 40, signed July 15. The body serves as the province’s primary coordinating, supervisory and decision-making group for the MR-SIA and other immunization programs.

Baricuatro chairs the task force, while Faciol serves as vice chairperson.

The ITF will oversee campaign planning, vaccine management, logistics, surveillance, monitoring and reporting. It will also coordinate with local government units, national agencies and other stakeholders.

The province created seven sub-task groups covering planning and technical support; coordination, local partnership and service delivery; budget, finance and procurement; supply chain, logistics and transportation; data management, monitoring and reporting; surveillance and response; and risk communication and community engagement.

Baricuatro said vaccination should be viewed in terms of the children and families protected rather than simply the number of doses administered.

“Every vaccination is not simply a number added to our accomplishment. Behind that number is a child we are protecting, a parent we are giving peace of mind, and a family we are helping keep safe,” she said.

She also stressed the need to prevent children from contracting vaccine-preventable diseases.

“Our goal should be simple: No Cebuano child should suffer from a disease that we already have the means to prevent,” Baricuatro said.

The campaign comes as measles and rubella cases increased nationwide.

DOH data showed that cases rose by 32 percent in 2025 compared with 2024.

Unvaccinated children accounted for 73 percent of the reported cases.

Measles and rubella are airborne and highly contagious.

The diseases can cause fever, cough, colds, conjunctivitis, rashes and swollen lymph nodes, or “lusay,” and may lead to severe complications or death.

The MR-SIA aims to close immunity gaps, stop measles transmission and prevent illnesses and deaths among children.(MyTVCebu)