Regional Campaign Targets Young Children
BACOLOD - The Department of Health (DOH) has begun a regionwide campaign to strengthen protection against measles and rubella among young children in the Negros Island Region. The “Ligtas Tigdas” supplemental immunization activity officially began on Aug. 10, with health authorities aiming to reach 437,586 children aged 6 to 59 months across Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and Bacolod City. The campaign will run until Aug. 28 and provides free measles-rubella vaccination along with Vitamin A supplementation. During the regional launch in Bacolod City, DOH-NIR Director Razel Nikka Hao emphasized that preventing illness requires cooperation among government agencies, local health offices, communities, parents, and caregivers. Rather than relying solely on families visiting health centers, health teams are being deployed to communities where children can be reached more directly. The approach is intended to help increase vaccination coverage and ensure that more eligible children receive protection during the campaign period.
Bacolod Deploys 74 Vaccination Teams
Bacolod City is setting a target of reaching 48,839 children aged 6 to 59 months as part of the supplemental immunization drive. The City Health Office aims for at least 95 percent coverage and has coordinated with barangay health centers to bring vaccination services closer to families. A total of 74 dedicated vaccination teams, composed of city nurses and midwives, have been assigned to carry out the campaign. Their deployment allows health workers to visit communities and identify eligible children who may otherwise be missed by routine health services. The strategy is particularly important for achieving high coverage because measles and rubella can spread rapidly when communities have gaps in immunization. Local health workers will also coordinate with families and barangay officials to encourage participation throughout the campaign.
Vaccination and Vitamin A Work Together for Child Health
Health officials also highlighted the established safety and effectiveness of measles-rubella vaccines. Bacolod City National Immunization Program coordinator Paulyne Sustento said the vaccines have been used and studied for decades as part of efforts to protect children from serious infectious diseases. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can spread through the air and direct contact, while rubella is another contagious viral infection that commonly affects children and young adults. Vitamin A supplementation is included in the campaign because adequate Vitamin A levels can help reduce complications associated with measles and support the body's immune response. The combined intervention therefore addresses both disease prevention and nutritional support. Through the “Ligtas Tigdas” campaign, health authorities hope to strengthen childhood protection and move the Negros Island Region closer to broader public health goals.
