Leni urges parents to have kids vaxxed vs measles

By Jason B. Neola

MAYOR Leni Robredo has called on parents to have their young children vaccinated against measles and rubella during the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA) from August 10 to 28, stressing that the city cannot afford even a single case of these highly contagious diseases.

Robredo said the local government remains committed to protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases, emphasizing that the government should never relax its efforts when safe, effective, and free vaccines are readily available. She urged parents to bring children aged 6 months to 59 months (below five years old) to their respective barangay health centers or the nearest vaccination sites during the campaign.

Mr-Sia will kick-off at 8:00 AM of August 10 at Concepcion Pequeña covered court.

She said eligible children will also receive Vitamin A supplementation during the immunization activity. Vitamin A helps strengthen the immune system, supports healthy vision, promotes proper growth and development, and keeps body tissues, including the skin, lungs, and intestines, healthy.

Dr. Ronnel Mejaro, National Immunization Program Medical Coordinator of the City Health Office I, explained that children should still receive the supplemental measles-rubella vaccine even if they have already completed their routine immunization. He said the additional dose provides stronger protection against the diseases and helps prevent future outbreaks.

Data from the City Health Office’s Epidemiology Unit showed that Naga City recorded 12 suspected measles cases from 2021 to 2025—two in 2021, two in 2022, three in 2023, four in 2024, and one in 2025. Although 2026 is not yet over, the city has already recorded two suspected measles cases. Mayor Robredo said even one or two cases are already a cause for concern and reinforce the need for sustained vaccination efforts.

Registered Nurse Nelia Benito, who is also the National Immunization Program Manager of the City Health Office I, said protecting children against measles is a shared responsibility among parents, communities, healthcare workers, local and national government agencies, and barangay officials.

She encouraged parents not to rely solely on the belief that their children have strong natural immunity, noting that vaccination remains the most effective protection against the disease.

Benito also assured the public that the vaccines provided by the Department of Health are safe, effective, and of high quality, dismissing claims that they are substandard. She added that the vaccines will be administered only by licensed healthcare professionals, including nurses and midwives.

To increase public awareness and address vaccine concerns, the City Health Office is conducting focused group discussions in the city's 27 barangays ahead of the campaign. The discussions aim to explain the benefits of vaccination, answer parents’ questions, and encourage greater community participation.

Each vaccination team is expected to immunize about 80 children per day during the campaign. The city is targeting 19,194 children, based on the Department of Health’s projected population, to achieve high vaccination coverage and prevent a measles outbreak.

The campaign is being supported by various stakeholders, including the Philippine Pediatric Society and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which has directed barangays to actively assist in the implementation of the immunization drive.