Newly assigned DOH-Ilocos Regional Director Helen D. Tobias emphasized the importance of health workers in providing accurate information and encouraging mothers and guardians to vaccinate their children and protect them against vaccine-preventable diseases during the MR-SIA presscon held at the San Fernando City Capitol on July 2, 2026.
The Department of Health (DOH) Ilocos Center for Health Development is intensifying its campaign against vaccine misinformation and calls on parents and guardians to protect their children through the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MRSIA), scheduled from August 10 to 28, 2026.
The campaign targets children aged 6 months to 59 months and aims to increase immunization coverage, prevent outbreaks, and provide life-saving protection against two highly contagious diseases—measles and rubella.
Alongside the vaccination campaign, the DOH is urging healthcare workers to actively provide clear, accurate, and science-based information to families to help them make informed decisions about their children’s health.
Regional Director Helen D. Tobias stressed that misinformation should never stand in the way of protecting children.
“Every child deserves protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. Parents and guardians need accurate and truthful information so they can make informed decisions for their children. That is why we continue to strengthen our efforts not only to vaccinate but also to educate our communities,” Tobias said.
She reminded the public to rely only on credible sources of health information.
“We encourage everyone to seek information only from trusted and reliable sources such as the Department of Health and your local health offices. Huwag nating hayaang manaig ang maling impormasyon. Pagbabakuna pa rin ang pinakaepektibo at napatunayang paraan upang maprotektahan ang ating mga anak laban sa tigdas at rubella,” she emphasized.
Tobias also assured the public that preparations for the month-long vaccination activity have been completed in coordination with local government units, provincial, city, and municipal health offices, schools, and partner agencies.
“Our vaccines are safe, effective, and available. We have trained healthcare workers, adequate vaccine supplies, and the necessary logistics to ensure quality vaccination services across the region. We are ready, and we encourage every parent to take advantage of this opportunity to protect their children,” she said.
She further underscored that high vaccination coverage is essential to preventing disease outbreaks and protecting entire communities.
“When more children are vaccinated, we build stronger protection not only for individual families but for the whole community. This is a shared responsibility. Together, we can stop measles outbreaks, save lives, and give every child the healthy future they deserve,” Tobias added.
The DOH reminds parents and guardians to bring all eligible children to their nearest vaccination site during the MRSIA from August 10 to 28, 2026. The Measles-Rubella vaccine is free, safe, effective, and available in government health facilities and designated vaccination sites throughout the Ilocos Region.
The success of the campaign depends on the collective efforts of families, communities, healthcare workers, local government units, and partner agencies in ensuring that every eligible child receives timely protection against measles and rubella.
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