ZAMBOANGA CITY — More than one million children in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have already been vaccinated against measles and German measles, the Department of Health (DoH) said.

As of 23 January, the DoH reported that the number accounts for 36 percent of its target of 2.8 million children aged six to 59 months, or under five years old, under Phase 1 of the government’s “Ligtas Tigdas” campaign.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect children from serious illness and complications caused by measles.

“If a child is vaccinated against measles, there is a much lower chance that they will need to be hospitalized and the complications can be avoided,” Herbosa said.

He also stressed that the measles vaccine has a long and proven track record of safety.

“The tigdas vaccine has been licensed since 1963. It is one of the longest-used vaccines and is proven to be safe,” he said.

Herbosa cited global studies showing that childhood vaccination could help prevent up to 15 million deaths worldwide, underscoring the importance of sustaining immunization efforts.

The health chief also thanked the Muslim community, particularly imams, for helping reassure parents that the vaccines are halal. He noted that their support, including information campaigns and short videos, has played a key role in boosting public trust and participation.