MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) has stepped up its “Ligtas Tigdas” vaccination campaign to protect children from measles and rubella, following a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., a Palace official said.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the DOH has immunized over one million children in Mindanao during the first week of the vaccination drive.

“Layunin ng DOH na ilayo ang mga bata sa pahamak na dala ng tigdas at tigdas hangin lalo pa’t maaari itong maging sanhi ng pagkakaospital at kamatayan kung hindi maagapan,” Castro said during a press briefing.

The vaccination campaign targets children aged six to 59 months and aims to administer a total of 1.7 million doses in the region. Castro encouraged parents to coordinate with health workers in their barangays to know the vaccination schedule.

“Dahil sa Bagong Pilipinas ang bawat buhay ay mahalaga,” she added.

The DOH said the supplemental immunization activity in Mindanao is designed to protect young children, including those as young as six months old, from measles and rubella, both highly contagious diseases that can be prevented through vaccination.