ILOILO — The clock is ticking for Iloilo’s measles-rubella vaccination campaign, with health authorities still working to reach more than 72,000 children before the government’s supplemental immunization drive ends on August 28, 2026.
As of August 25, a total of 100,197 children aged 6 to 59 months in Iloilo Province had received free measles-rubella (MR) vaccines, representing 58.13% of the province’s target population of 172,360 children, according to the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO). That leaves 72,163 children still to be reached.
The MR Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA), conducted from August 10 to 28, is designed to close gaps in childhood immunization and provide additional protection against measles and rubella, regardless of a child’s previous vaccination status.
Guimbal first to cross 95% target
While the province-wide campaign remains below the desired coverage level, several municipalities have made significant progress.
Guimbal became the first municipality in Iloilo to surpass the government’s 95% vaccination target, reaching 97.47%, or 2,311 of its 2,371 eligible children, according to the IPHO.
Miagao followed with 91.52%, while San Enrique reached 87.23%. Tigbauan recorded 84.47%, Lemery 80.51%, Anilao 71.32%, and Santa Barbara 71.22%.
The figures show that some local government units are moving closer to the recommended protection level, even as the province as a whole still faces a substantial vaccination gap.
Why the campaign matters
The intensified campaign comes amid concerns over measles and rubella transmission in Western Visayas.
DOH data previously cited by regional news outlets showed that suspected measles-rubella cases in Western Visayas increased from 314 in 2024 to 444 in 2025, a rise of about 41%. Iloilo Province recorded the highest number of cases in the region, with 291 cases in 2025, compared with 129 in 2024.
More recent provincial surveillance data reported by Daily Guardian showed that Iloilo recorded 48 measles-rubella cases from January 4 to August 8, 2026, down from 211 during the same period in 2025. No deaths were recorded in either period.
Health officials have continued to emphasize that measles is highly contagious and can cause serious complications, particularly among young children. Rubella is especially concerning because infection during pregnancy can result in congenital rubella syndrome and severe birth defects.
Western Visayas campaign targets more than 400,000 children
Iloilo’s vaccination effort is part of the larger Western Visayas MR-SIA and Vitamin A supplementation campaign, which targets 408,114 children aged 6 to 59 months across the region.
Earlier in the campaign, the Department of Health reported 149,021 children vaccinated across Western Visayas as of August 17, equivalent to 36.5% coverage at that point. Iloilo Province had recorded 37.15% coverage in that earlier report.
The Philippine Information Agency also reported that Iloilo Province initially targeted 172,360 children and that Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. urged families to maintain confidence in immunization, describing vaccination as a key preventive health measure.
Parents urged not to wait until the deadline
With the campaign ending on August 28, the IPHO is urging parents and guardians of eligible children who have not yet received the MR vaccine to visit their nearest vaccination site.
Vaccination teams continue to operate through health centers, primary care facilities, barangay health stations, temporary vaccination posts and other designated sites.
The vaccine is provided free of charge to eligible children under the campaign.
The provincial government has also encouraged families to rely on credible health information as health authorities continue efforts to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
Earlier, Iloilo officials acknowledged that the province’s vaccination target is based on population projections, rather than solely on a validated count of children currently living in the province. Governor Defensor said the issue should be addressed at the national level to make future vaccination targets and resource allocation more accurate.
The race is not over
With 100,197 children already vaccinated but 72,163 still to be reached, Iloilo faces a critical final push before the August 28 deadline.
The progress of municipalities such as Guimbal, Miagao, San Enrique and Tigbauan demonstrates that high coverage is achievable. The bigger question now is whether the province can close the remaining gap quickly enough to move substantially closer to the 95% coverage level considered important for stronger community protection against measles transmission.
For parents with children aged 6 to 59 months who have yet to receive the campaign dose, health authorities’ message remains straightforward: check with the nearest local health facility and have the child vaccinated before the campaign ends.
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