Mayor Abay urges parents: Get children vaccinated to keep measles and rubella out of Tinglayan

TINGLAYAN, Kalinga — Mayor Charles Abay has called on parents and guardians to have their children vaccinated against measles and rubella, stressing that immunization is the most effective way to protect children's health and secure the future of Tinglayan.

With the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA) set to roll out this August, Abay urged the community to support the campaign by ensuring that every eligible child receives the life-saving vaccine.

In a video released by the Department of Health–Cordillera (DOH-CAR) through Municipal Administrator Atty. Mark Dave Bang-as, the mayor appealed to parents, teachers, barangay officials, health workers, community leaders, and other stakeholders to work together in promoting vaccination and combating misinformation.

"The mayor calls upon parents, teachers, barangay officials, health workers, community leaders, and all stakeholders to unite behind this important public health campaign. Let us help spread accurate information, dispel misinformation, and ensure that every eligible child receives the protection they deserve," Abay said.

The mayor emphasized that preventing the spread of measles and rubella requires collective action from the entire community.

"Let us not allow measles and rubella to take root in our municipality or anywhere in our province. Together, we can strengthen our community's defenses and safeguard the health of every child. A healthy child is the foundation of a strong and resilient community. By choosing vaccination, we are investing not only in the future of our children but also in the future of Tinglayan," he added.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), measles and rubella are highly contagious viral diseases that spread easily, particularly among unvaccinated populations. Although both commonly cause fever and rashes, they are caused by different viruses and can result in serious complications.

Measles remains one of the leading causes of vaccine-preventable deaths among young children worldwide despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine. Meanwhile, rubella infection during pregnancy can result in fetal death or congenital rubella syndrome, a condition that causes severe birth defects.

To strengthen community protection, the Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO), headed by Dr. Edward Tandingan, will conduct the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity throughout Kalinga in August.

Dr. Tandingan said the campaign primarily targets children who missed their routine measles-rubella vaccinations in recent years, helping close immunization gaps and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks across the province.

Health authorities continue to encourage parents to participate in the campaign, emphasizing that high vaccination coverage is essential to protecting not only individual children but also the wider community from preventable diseases.