Measles and rubella cases in the country rose 32 percent in 2025, prompting health officials to launch a massive nationwide immunization campaign targeting 11 million children.

Data from the Department of Health (DoH) through 27 December showed 5,123 recorded cases of the respiratory diseases, up from 3,880 during the same period in 2024. Children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years accounted for 2,567 cases, or half of the national total.

Health officials cited that 73 percent of those infected had not been vaccinated against measles. The highest incidence rates were recorded in Mindanao, specifically in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“There are a lot of unvaccinated children, and the number increases every year,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.

“We used to conduct supplemental immunization every five years, but we are now doing it annually because the numbers are rising. We will vaccinate every Filipino child regardless of their status,” he added.

The DoH will begin the vaccination drive on 19 January, focusing first on Mindanao, where officials aim to inoculate 2.8 million children this month. The campaign will move to other regions later in the year, with 5.6 million vaccinations planned for Luzon and 1.9 million for the Visayas in June.

Herbosa urged parents and guardians to visit local health centers to ensure children are protected against the preventable diseases.