Measles and rubella cases in the Philippines rose 32% last year, reaching 5,123 compared to 3,880 in 2024, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.
More than half of the cases involved children under five, with many as young as six months, and 73% of those affected were unvaccinated.
In December alone, 405 new cases were recorded, prompting the DOH to urge parents to have their children vaccinated.
To curb the outbreak, the agency will launch the nationwide “Ligtas-Tigdas” immunization program starting January 19 in Mindanao and BARMM, targeting regions with the highest incidence.
The campaign aims to vaccinate 11 million children nationwide, including 2.8 million in Mindanao, 5.6 million in Luzon, and 1.9 million in Visayas.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 12, 2026
