THE THREAT of a measles outbreak looms over Iloilo Province as vaccination rates continue to fall short of the 95% target for fully immunized children (FIC). According to the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), the province only achieved 73.66% coverage for measles immunization in 2024 — an improvement from 68.46% in 2023 but still low. This persistent shortfall leaves thousands of infants vulnerable to one of the most contagious and potentially deadly childhood diseases.
The warning signs are already here. The province has recorded three confirmed measles cases, including an 11-month-old baby from Cabatuan who had only received one dose of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The other two cases—a 31-year-old from Ajuy and a 16-year-old from Pototan—suggest that gaps in immunization, combined with exposure from travel and household transmission, are putting both children and adults at risk. It is only a matter of time before more cases emerge.
Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known, capable of spreading through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and even blindness. In extreme cases, it can be fatal. The IPHO has been actively campaigning for parents to bring their children to health centers for free immunization, yet compliance remains insufficient. Of the 43 localities in Iloilo, only five — San Enrique (100%), Cabatuan (98.66%), Barotac Nuevo (97.24%), Tigbauan (96.40%), and Miag-ao (95.50%) — have met the target for full immunization. The rest of the province lags behind, creating pockets of vulnerability where the virus can spread unchecked.
Misinformation and vaccine hesitancy continue to hinder vaccination efforts, with some parents influenced by myths about vaccine side effects. Geographic accessibility also poses challenges, especially in remote barangays where parents may struggle to bring their children to health centers. Logistical issues, such as inadequate vaccine supply or workforce shortages, further complicate efforts to achieve universal immunization coverage.
Local government units (LGUs) must intensify door-to-door vaccination drives, ensuring that health workers reach the most underserved areas. The provincial and municipal health offices must strengthen their coordination, deploying more midwives and barangay health workers to identify unvaccinated children and provide immediate immunization.
Equally important is increased funding for vaccine programs. While immunization is already free, additional resources are needed to support transportation, outreach campaigns, and the salaries of frontline health workers. LGUs must treat this as an urgent priority to prevent what could become a full-blown health crisis.
The provincial government, LGUs, and health offices must work aggressively to close the vaccination gap. More importantly, parents must recognize their responsibility to protect their children from preventable diseases. History has already shown what happens when immunization rates decline. The Philippines suffered a major measles outbreak in 2019, with over 47,000 cases and more than 600 deaths, primarily among unvaccinated children. Iloilo must not let history repeat itself. A single case of measles in an unvaccinated population can trigger an outbreak.
