Social media rumors hamper measles-rubella vaccination efforts in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY — A combination of social media misinformation and public skepticism stemming from the 2017 Dengvaxia controversy is undermining measles-rubella vaccination campaigns across Eastern Visayas, according to regional health authorities.

City health officials in Tacloban and Calbayog have reported significant resistance from parents reluctant to allow their children to receive the inoculations, citing concerns about vaccine safety that have circulated online. The hesitancy threatens to leave thousands of young children vulnerable to two infectious diseases that can cause serious complications if left untreated.

Health officials are urging residents to distinguish between verified medical information and unsubstantiated claims spreading through social media platforms. They have emphasized that the measles-rubella vaccine has undergone rigorous safety testing and remains essential for protecting children from diseases that can result in permanent disability or death.

The campaign setback underscores the broader challenge facing Philippine health authorities in rebuilding public confidence in vaccination programs following the Dengvaxia controversy, which eroded trust in government-sponsored immunization efforts.