Manila, March 27 -- The Iloilo City Health Office targets 8,044 children aged nine to 59 months for its measles- rubella (MR) catch-up immunization that will go full-swing in April.

As of March 20, the city recorded 25 suspected and confirmed measles cases, with four in Molo, three each in Lapuz and Jaro I, two each in Arevalo, La Paz, and Jaro II, and nine in Mandurriao, including one confirmed case.

National Immunization Program coordinator Dr. Jennifer Anceno said the catch-up drive was prompted by the confirmed case of a 19-year-old female from Iloilo province working in the city.

"Measles is included in our routine child immunization from ages nine months to one year old. We give two doses at nine months and at one year old. Howev...