Negros oriental: The Provincial Health Office (PHO) in Negros Oriental has recommended the implementation of an additional measles supplemental immunization campaign across local government units (LGUs) in the province. This initiative aims to reach a greater number of children who missed the recent vaccination drive.

According to Philippines News Agency, Negros Oriental recorded the lowest turnout in the supplemental immunization campaign across the Negros Island Region (NIR). PHO chief Dr. Liland Estacion expressed their readiness to deploy provincial and local health workers for this supplemental campaign, provided that the Department of Health (DOH)-NIR can supply the necessary vaccines and other commodities. "We will undertake additional supplemental immunization for measles alongside the regular vaccination for the disease so we can expand our reach to targeted qualified children. We will write the DOH-NIR about this," Estacion stated.

The recommendation comes after Negros Oriental reported the lowest coverage in the Negros Island Region during the DOH's 'Ligtas Tigdas' supplemental immunization campaign, which took place from August 10 to September 4. Only 35,899 of the province's 136,717 target children aged 6 to 59 months received the measles-rubella supplemental vaccine, representing a 26.3 percent coverage rate. In contrast, Negros Occidental achieved a 57.3 percent coverage, Bacolod City reached 45.6 percent, and Siquijor recorded a 28.2 percent coverage.

Dr. Estacion noted that the low turnout was not exclusive to Negros Oriental, as similar issues were observed throughout the region and in other parts of the country. She attributed the low coverage primarily to misinformation and safety concerns spreading on social media and through word of mouth. Additionally, some parents failed to bring their children for vaccination after the children recovered from illness during the campaign period.

The DOH-NIR led the campaign by deploying vaccination teams to the LGUs. Meanwhile, the DOH-NIR has reported over 70 confirmed and suspected measles cases in the region this year, though officials are still compiling data on the geographic distribution of these cases. Health authorities continue to urge parents to have eligible children vaccinated through the regular, free measles immunization program to enhance their protection against the disease.