Measles is a highly contagious disease capable of spreading rapidly, infecting up to 12 to 18 individuals from a single case, and the widespread vaccination remains the most reliable shield against outbreaks and complications, especially among children under five.
Dr. Annaliza Malubay, National Immunization Program Medical Coordinator of CHO, told the City Information Office (CIO) that the vaccines provided are thoroughly tested and have a long-standing record of safety and any questions or doubts should be directly addressed to doctors, rather than relying on unverified information circulating on social media.
“Ang atong bakuna kay safe and effective. Matabangan gyud ang mga bata para ma protektahan sa measles. Kung naa man mo'y pangutana, doubts or dili mu confident, ayaw mo kahadlok na mudoul sa health workers ug sa atung local officials kay para ma address nato inyong mga issues ,” she said.
Malubay explained that MRSIA is different from routine vaccinations, as it is designed to prevent possible outbreaks and provide protection against measles for all children aged six months to 59 months.
“Kani man gud MRSIA, different ni siya sa katung routine vaccination. Kaning MRSIA kay para sa mga bata kay vulnerable gyud sila, campaign ni nato to prevent a measles outbreak. Bisan nahatagan naka or wala pa, non-selective atung immunization. So, ibig sabihin tanan mga 6 months to 59 months old dapat hatag an, ” she added.
Parents are also reassured that the vaccine has mild and temporary side effects such as fever, injection-site pain or nausea and has no serious or lifelong complications.
Dr. Allyne Aguelo, Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist and Member of the Philippine Pediatric Society - Davao Southern Mindanao Chapter (PPS-DSMC), during the ISpeak Media forum, also emphasize that the long-standing safety record of the measles-rubella vaccination for 40 years has no association with the likelihood of developing autism and other diseases among children.
“Forty years na ang measles rubella and it has been proven na wala talagang correlation towards autism and other diseases, so very safe siya (The measles and rubella [vaccine] has been around for 40 years already and has been proven to have no correlation with autism and other diseases, so it is very safe),” she said.
To accommodate working parents, the CHO announced that MRSIA will run from January 19 to February 13, 2026, operating daily, including weekends across all districts, satellite health centers, and barangay-level vaccination posts.
The CHO strongly encouraged families to complete their children’s immunization to ensure community-wide protection against measles and rubella. CIO
📷CIO/Madayaw Dabaw