JANUARY 14, 2026 — The numbers don’t lie. The Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed a 32% jump in measles and rubella cases in 2025, with 5,123 infections recorded compared to 3,880 the year before. 

That’s not just a statistic — it’s a wake-up call.

Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo explained on Super Radyo dzBB: “Napansin natin, pinakinggan natin ang bilang ng tigdas, parang i-kumpara mo sa mala-trangkasong sakit para maliit kasi 5,000 lang, pero mas nababahala ang DOH sa usapin ng tigdas kasi mas mabilis makahawa ang tigdas.”

(We noticed, when we looked at the measles numbers, it may seem small compared to flu-like illnesses at only 5,000 cases, but DOH is more concerned about measles because it spreads faster.)

Here’s the alarming part: 73% of those infected were unvaccinated. That means thousands of Filipino children were left vulnerable, either because of vaccine hesitancy or because their families live in hard-to-reach areas. 

Domingo stressed, “Ibig sabihin marami mga batang Pilipino, kung ano ang dahilan, hindi nakakuha ng kanilang bakuna nung sila 9 months old or 12 months old, kaya hahabulin natin yan from 6 months old hanggang 59 months old.”

(This means many Filipino children, for whatever reason, did not get their vaccines at 9 or 12 months old, so we will catch up from 6 months to 59 months old.)

The DOH is set to roll out the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR SIA) starting in Mindanao this January 19 to February 13, 2026. Vaccines will be available in health centers, rural health units, and designated hubs. 

Domingo assures, “May mga bakuna po lahat yan. Ligtas, sigurado at dekalidad.”

(All vaccines are available. Safe, reliable, and of high quality.)

So here’s the question we must ask ourselves: Why risk our children’s health when the solution is already within reach? 

Measles is not just another childhood illness — it can be deadly, and it spreads like wildfire. Parents, guardians, communities — this is the time to act!

Vaccination is not just protection, it is power.

(Image: Unicef)