President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Health (DOH) to intensify its “Ligtas Tigdas” vaccination campaign in Mindanao.

According to Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, over one million children in Mindanao were vaccinated during the first week of the campaign.

“Layunin ng DOH na ilayo ang mga bata sa pahamak na dala ng tigdas at tigdas hangin lalo pa’t maaari itong maging sanhi ng pagkakaospital at kamatayan kung hindi maagapan,” Castro said in a Palace press briefing on Wednesday.

Vaccinations for children aged six to 59 months will continue this week, with a target of 1.7 million doses.

Parents are advised to consult local health workers for the vaccination schedule.

Castro said the initiative aims to protect children under five years old, as young as six months old, against measles and rubella, both highly contagious viral infections that can be prevented through vaccination