The measles-rubella vaccination campaign in Central Visayas has vaccinated nearly 98,000 children, bringing the region’s accomplishment rate to 15.5 percent, as the Department of Health (DOH) and local government units intensify efforts to reach more children and counter vaccine misinformation.
The latest DOH Central Visayas accomplishment report, covering data as of August 19, 2026, at 10 p.m., showed that 97,661 children aged 6 to 59 months have been vaccinated out of the region’s target of 630,214.
A total of 532,553 children remain to be vaccinated.
Among the areas covered, Mandaue City posted the highest coverage at 21.9 percent, followed by Lapu-Lapu City at 18.3 percent, Bohol Province at 15.6 percent, Cebu Province at 15.2 percent and Cebu City at 12.9 percent.
The latest figure represents an increase from the 11-percent accomplishment recorded in Central Visayas as of August 16, when 69,046 children had been vaccinated.
The figures come as the region continues the third phase of the nationwide Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA), implemented under the Ligtas Tigdas 2026 campaign.
Mercado urges stronger Visayas vaccination push
DOH Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado, who assumed the health portfolio earlier this month, said the department is shifting greater attention to the Visayas and Mindanao as the third phase of the vaccination campaign continues.
‘First of all, I’d like to thank our dear mayor, congresswoman, for inviting us over to witness the vaccination,’ Mercado said during an interview in his visit to Cebu on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2026.
‘This is actually the third phase of our MR-SIA vaccination drive and given the current situation in Luzon, we are already shifting our attention towards Visayas and Mindanao,’ Mercado added.
Mercado called on local government units in the region to coordinate closely with the DOH regional office and develop communication plans that will reach all eligible families, particularly those with children aged six months to 59 months.
The Health Secretary said the parents he had spoken with showed generally positive acceptance of the vaccination program and appeared aware of its benefits. ‘I think naman very positive yung acceptance ng ating mga parents,’ he said.
Mercado stressed that the potential complications of measles and rubella are far more serious than the risks associated with vaccination, while emphasizing that the campaign seeks to build population immunity and close gaps in protection.
‘Baka mag-extend pa tayo depende kung ano ang outcome next week,’ Mercado said, adding that the priority is to strengthen information efforts so more children can be vaccinated within the next two weeks.
Naga City reports no significant vaccine hesitation
Amid concerns over vaccine misinformation in some parts of Central Visayas, Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong said his local government has not encountered significant vaccine hesitation or complaints related to the measles-rubella campaign.
Asked by Cebu media on Wednesday morning, August 19, whether residents had been refusing or resisting vaccination, Chiong said he had not received reports of opposition.
‘Wala ko kadungog og pagdili. Hopefully, nagsige sila. Wala man sad reklamo [I haven’t heard of any opposition. Hopefully they will continue it. There were no complaints yet],’ he added.
Chiong said barangay officials remain an important link in monitoring concerns and feedback from residents. He added that he can coordinate directly with barangay captains should issues arise.
The mayor also encouraged residents to take advantage not only of the Ligtas Tigdas campaign but of other government immunization and health programs available in their communities.
Health workers, nurses and midwives stationed in barangays, along with regular visits by doctors, help bring basic health services closer to residents, he said.
Chiong also said he has reached out to companies through their corporate social responsibility programs to support community health initiatives.
Naga City’s experience provides a contrasting picture to the vaccine hesitancy reported in other parts of Central Visayas, where health officials have identified misinformation and fear of side effects as barriers to vaccination.
DOH: Data key to fighting misinformation
Mercado said the DOH Health Promotion Bureau is strengthening its information campaign by providing factual information and data demonstrating the benefits of vaccination.
‘The only way is to really show the proof, to really show data kasi numbers do not lie,’ Mercado said.
He added that the DOH is looking at providing regular data updates to media organizations so the public can be better informed about vaccination accomplishments and developments in the different regions.
The DOH briefer noted that Central Visayas has recorded 16,441 refusals, equivalent to about two percent of the region’s target population.
More than 46 percent of these refusals were reportedly linked to fear of side effects.
Health authorities say misinformation remains a significant challenge as the campaign seeks to reach children who are unvaccinated or under-immunized.
LGUs urged to become vaccination champions
DOH officials also emphasized that local governments have a crucial role in convincing parents to have their children vaccinated.
Usec. Mary Ann Maestral said the DOH appreciates the efforts of local leaders, particularly in Cebu, who have produced videos and other messages encouraging parents to have their children vaccinated.
The officials urged LGUs to continue helping disseminate accurate information and counter false claims about vaccines.
Gloria Balboa said local chief executives can serve as trusted voices or ‘influencers’ in their communities because residents often look to their local leaders for guidance.
‘Ang ganda din na ang local chief executives would also be the one to become sort of influencers,’ Balboa said.
He urged local officials to tell their constituents that vaccines are safe and effective and that children need the protection they provide.
Balboa also called for expanding vaccination sites beyond traditional health centers.
Daycare centers, malls and other accessible community locations can serve as additional vaccination venues, making it easier for parents to bring their children for immunization.
He also emphasized the role of health workers and barangay health workers in actively identifying and reaching families in communities where vaccination uptake remains low.
‘Marami pong mga interventions na pwede nating gawin at kailangang pagtulungan po natin ito,’ Balboa said.
The campaign, he stressed, requires the cooperation of the DOH, other government agencies, LGUs, development partners, communities and parents.
He also encouraged parents whose children have already been vaccinated to share their positive experiences with other families.
‘Yung mga good news, yun ang dapat nating i-marites,’ Balboa said, underscoring the importance of spreading positive and factual stories about vaccination.
Ligtas Tigdas continues through August 28
The DOH Central Visayas and local government units are continuing the MR-SIA from August 10 to 28, targeting approximately 630,000 children aged six months to five years in the region, with eligible children in Cebu and Bohol prioritized.
The campaign is being implemented through provincial and municipal health facilities, barangays, communities and temporary vaccination sites.
Dr. Faith Curaraton, DOH 7 Regional National Immunization Program medical coordinator, previously emphasized that the supplemental campaign is designed to provide children with additional protection against measles and rubella.
She stressed that the vaccines are free, safe and effective.
The Cebu Provincial Government is supporting the campaign through its health personnel and facilities. Gov. Pamela Baricuatro earlier issued Executive Order No. 40 creating the Provincial Immunization Task Force to strengthen coordination among government agencies and LGUs.
Sixteen provincial and district hospitals, together with rural health units, are being utilized as vaccination sites, while barangay health workers are helping identify eligible children and facilitate registration.
Three phases of the nationwide campaign
The Ligtas Tigdas campaign was launched in response to the continuing risk of measles transmission and the presence of zero-dose and under-immunized children.
Measles and rubella are highly contagious viral diseases that can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, severe diarrhea, blindness and, in severe cases, death. Children below five years old are particularly vulnerable.
The first two phases of the nationwide campaign have already been completed.
Phase I, conducted across all regions of Mindanao from January 19 to February 20, vaccinated 2,348,031 children, or 82.2 percent of the target population.
Phase II, covering Metro Manila and its bordering barangays in Cavite, Laguna and Rizal, as well as Batanes, vaccinated 1,134,621 children, or 83.8 percent of the target.
Phase III began on August 10 and covers all regions of Luzon except the National Capital Region, as well as the Visayas.
As of August 16, Phase III had vaccinated 1,612,946 children, representing 26 percent of its overall target.