Measles cases in Northern Mindanao rose 11% in 2025, from 371 to 411, with 74% of patients unvaccinated. Health officials warn the situation could worsen in 2026 due to low vaccination rates. They are launching a supplemental immunization drive to provide booster shots to children.
In 2025, the Department of Health (DOH) in Northern Mindanao recorded 411 measles cases, an 11% increase from 371 in 2024. The DOH-X reported that 74% of patients were unvaccinated, prompting warnings that the situation could deteriorate further in 2026 amid low immunization coverage.
“There are outbreaks in various parts of the country because of low immunization coverage, and that includes our region,” said Dr. Germaine Labadan, head of the DOH-X Family Health Cluster. The region's coverage stood at just 56.7% last year, far short of the 95% needed for herd immunity. Cagayan de Oro led with 87.21%, while Bukidnon lagged at 49.71%. Other areas, including Misamis Oriental (51.87%), Misamis Occidental (52.05%), Iligan (52.55%), and Camiguin (53.73%), hovered below 50%.
To curb the spread, DOH-Northern Mindanao and local health offices will deploy teams to administer Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccines to children aged six to 59 months. The Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA) runs for 21 days from January 19 to February 13, 2026, offering booster shots and Vitamin A supplements. “This is open to all eligible children, regardless of immunization status, because the vaccine serves as a booster,” Labadan explained. No immunization booklet is required; new ones will be provided.
In Cagayan de Oro, cases fell 58% from 55 in 2024 to 23 in 2025, but Lanao del Norte saw a 51% surge from 196 to 295. The DOH-X estimates 524,267 eligible children this year, with each vaccination team aiming to immunize at least 80 daily. Measles spreads through breathing, coughing, and sneezing, causing high fever, cough, runny nose, and rash. Complications include blindness, encephalitis, and death, especially in malnourished children.
UNICEF notes that 26 out of every 1,000 Filipino children die before age five. “The vaccines we administer to prevent viral infections like measles have been proven safe, effective, and free,” said Dr. Tristan Labitad, head of DOH-X’s communication cluster. Health workers, many trained during the COVID-19 pandemic, continue facing challenges in convincing parents, as they pursue herd immunity to break infection cycles.
