Two hundred twenty toddlers in Lingayen got an early shield against measles and rubella as the Department of Health (DOH) Ilocos Region and the Provincial Government of Pangasinan launched a head-start vaccination drive ahead of the region-wide 2026 Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA) running from August 10 to 28, 2026.
The ceremonial kickoff at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center mobilized healthcare workers and leaders from across Region 1, protecting children ages 6 to 59 months across six pilot barangays: Mariboc, Poblacion, Tonton, Libsong East, Libsong West, and Pangapisan North.
The activity was led by DOH Assistant Secretary Maylene M. Beltran and DOH Ilocos Regional Director Helen D. Tobias at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen, Pangasinan on July 24, 2026 together with officials of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan, Provincial Health Office, and local government units in a unified commitment to safeguard every eligible child in Region I from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Guest of Honor and Department of Health Assistant Secretary Maylene M. Beltran emphasized that vaccination remains the most effective and proven way to protect children from serious illnesses and prevent avoidable deaths.
“Sa lahat ng ating mga magulang, hinihikayat ko po kayong dalhin ang inyong mga anak na may edad 6 hanggang 59 buwan sa pinakamalapit na vaccination center. Ang bakuna laban sa tigdas at rubella ay ligtas, mabisa, at dumaan sa masusing pagsusuri upang matiyak ang kalidad nito. Wala po kayong dapat ikabahala. Ang bawat batang mababakunahan ay isang hakbang tungo sa mas malusog at mas ligtas na kinabukasan. Sama-sama nating protektahan ang ating mga anak at suportahan ang programang pagbabakuna ng Department of Health.”
Beltran further stressed that high vaccination coverage is essential in preventing the resurgence of measles, a highly contagious disease that can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, disability, and even death, especially among young children.
Meanwhile, DOH Ilocos Regional Director Helen D. Tobias called on local chief executives, government agencies, schools, barangay officials, civil society organizations, faith-based groups, and private sector partners to work together to ensure the success of the two-week immunization campaign across the region.
“The success of the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity depends on our collective action. We call on every local government unit, national government agency, development partner, healthcare worker, barangay official, and community leader to actively support this campaign and help us reach every eligible child. Vaccination is a shared responsibility, and together, we can prevent outbreaks, save lives, and build healthier and more resilient communities throughout Region I.”
Director Tobias also encouraged parents and caregivers not to wait for children to become sick before seeking protection.
“Every missed child is another child left vulnerable to measles and rubella. Let us seize this opportunity to ensure that no child is left behind. Through the unwavering commitment of our local governments and partners, we are confident that Region I can achieve high immunization coverage and provide every child the healthy future they deserve.”
DOH officials reiterated that the MR-SIA targets all children aged 6 to 59 months, regardless of previous vaccination status, to increase immunity and prevent outbreaks rapidly. Vaccination teams will be deployed to barangay health stations, rural health units, schools, daycare centers, and temporary vaccination sites to reach eligible children throughout the campaign period.
The municipalities of Bauang and Agoo in La Union, Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, Candon, Ilocos Sur also will conduct their launching activities for the MR-SIA this week ahead of the August 10 to 28, 2026.
The DOH strongly emphasized that the measles-rubella vaccine is safe, effective, and provided free of charge as part of the government’s commitment to Universal Health Care.
