22/08/2026
Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to protect Filipinos from preventable diseases. Yet, misinformation and vaccine hesitancy continue to threaten public confidence and leave individuals and communities vulnerable.
Measles is highly contagious, but it is preventable through vaccination. As of the first quarter of 2026, the Department of Health reported a 45% increase in Measles-Rubella cases compared with the previous year, with 7 out of 10 cases occurring among unvaccinated individuals. With cases on the rise, getting vaccinated remains one of the best ways to prevent measles and protect our communities.
The measles vaccine is safe and highly effective. One dose provides about 93% protection, while two doses provide about 97% protection against measles. The second dose is important because not everyone develops sufficient immunity after the first dose. Vaccination does not make infection impossible, but it greatly reduces the risk and helps prevent severe disease and complications.
However, protecting our communities does not stop at vaccination. It also means protecting the truth. Before believing or sharing vaccine-related information, verify it through trusted sources. Misinformation can spread quickly, but accurate information can spread just as far when we choose to share responsibly.
Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to protect Filipinos from preventable diseases. Yet, misinformation and vaccine hesitancy continue to threaten public confidence and leave individuals and communities vulnerable.
Measles is highly contagious, but it is preventable through vaccination. As of the first quarter of 2026, the Department of Health reported a 45% increase in Measles-Rubella cases compared with the previous year, with 7 out of 10 cases occurring among unvaccinated individuals. With cases on the rise, getting vaccinated remains one of the best ways to prevent measles and protect our communities.
The measles vaccine is safe and highly effective. One dose provides about 93% protection, while two doses provide about 97% protection against measles. The second dose is important because not everyone develops sufficient immunity after the first dose. Vaccination does not make infection impossible, but it greatly reduces the risk and helps prevent severe disease and complications.
However, protecting our communities does not stop at vaccination. It also means protecting the truth. Before believing or sharing vaccine-related information, verify it through trusted sources. Misinformation can spread quickly, but accurate information can spread just as far when we choose to share responsibly.
Pubmat by: Marianne Faith Cacananta
Content Researchers:
โข Vhee Junnyne Militar
โข Martchido Santos
โข Kirk Jethro Bryle Arinzol
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Measles (Rubeola). In Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Measles Vaccination. In Measles (Rubeola). CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccines/index.html
CDC. (2024). Measles Vaccine Recommendations. In Measles (Rubeola). https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/vaccine-considerations/index.html
Montemayor, Ma. T. (2026, April 8). Measles, rubella cases up 45%; vaccination of infants urged. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1272503
Patel, P., & Tobin, E. H. (2025, May 5). MMR vaccine. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554450/
World Health Organization: WHO. (2019, February 26). Questions and answers on the measles outbreak in the Philippines. https://www.who.int/philippines/news/feature-stories/detail/questions-and-answers-on-the-measles-outbreak-in-the-philippines
U.S. CDC. (2026, March 23). CDC in the Philippines. CDC. Retrieved August 20, 2026, from https://www.cdc.gov/global-health/countries/philippines.html
