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MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said 68% of Rubella, or German measles, cases in the country聽reported from January 1 to March 1, 2025 were unvaccinated individuals.
The DOH logged 922 cases in the said period, a 35% increase from the 683 cases recorded in the same period last year.
鈥�625 or 68% of reported cases are unvaccinated or with incomplete doses of vaccine against measles,鈥� the DOH said Filipino.
READ: WHO warns vs regional resurgence of measles
The DOH also saw an uptick in cases in the National Capital Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City) from February 2 to March 1.
According to Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, Rubella can be contagious, so vaccination is important to prevent complications, which DOH said can lead to pneumonia, brain infection, and death, especially among children under five years old.
鈥淎 child with measles can infect up to sixteen other children. That鈥檚 why it is crucial to prevent the spread of this disease,鈥� he added.
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The DOH will conduct a catch-up immunization program against measles for children aged 13-59 months this March in Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) and Soccsksargen.
鈥淚t is important to complete the two-dose measles vaccination, which is why the DOH encourages parents to coordinate with the nearest health center for the vaccination schedule in their area,鈥� the agency said in Filipino.