Manila: The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday announced that vaccination activities against measles and rubella will persist this week, as data from several regions in Mindanao indicated low coverage.

According to Philippines News Agency, the total number of immunized children nationwide has surpassed one million. However, the DOH reported that 1.7 million children still require protection, predominantly in Mindanao. An advisory cited a situation report from January 19 to 25 revealing that Regions 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 11 (Davao Region), and 12 (Soccsksargen), along with the Caraga Region and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) recorded vaccination rates between 30 to 50 percent.

The BARMM registered the lowest coverage at 30 percent, with 170,723 children vaccinated against measles, while 406,507 remain unvaccinated. Region XI reported a 34 percent coverage, or 175,886 vaccinated children, leaving 337,123 without protection. In the Caraga Region, 133,967 were vaccinated, representing 50 percent of the target population, but 135,328 have yet to receive their shots.

Region X reported 242,988 immunized children, representing 46 percent, compared to 280,631 who are still unvaccinated. In Region IX, 214,749 children have been vaccinated, accounting for 41 percent, leaving 308,957 unprotected. Meanwhile, Region XII recorded 158,272 vaccinated children, or 35 percent, with 292,978 still not protected.

The DOH urged parents and guardians to coordinate with their community nurse or midwife to learn the vaccination schedules in their communities. Earlier, Sheik Ibrahim Andang Jr., chair of the Muslim Religious Advisory Council of General Santos City, expressed support for the DOH's campaign to protect children against measles and rubella. He emphasized the Islamic principle of Hifz al-Nafs, or the preservation of life, highlighting the importance of preventing the highly contagious measles. "Prevention is better than cure," he added.