Manila, Sept. 8 -- The Department of Health in the Negros Island Region (DOH-NIR) has vaccinated 200,455 children aged six to 59 months against measles and rubella, with no further extension planned for the supplemental immunization campaign, an official said Tuesday.

DOH-NIR Assistant Regional Director Adrian Hort Ramos told the Philippine News Agency that the figure accounts for about 45 percent of the region's target for the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA).

Ramos attributed the low turnout partly to misinformation circulating on social media about the vaccine's safety.

"Sadly, many mothers and guardians were convinced against the vaccine despite the agency's information campaign explaining that it was saf...