The Mandaue City Council is seeking an investigation into social media posts allegedly discouraging parents from having their children vaccinated, as the city continues to record low turnout in its measles-rubella vaccination campaign.
The council adopted a resolution condemning anti-vaccination posts and calling for an investigation into online content that may be contributing to vaccine hesitancy among parents.
The move followed a report from the Mandaue City Health Office (MCHO) that only about 10 percent, or roughly 3,000, of the city’s more than 30,000 target children had received the measles-rubella vaccine during the first week of the Ligtas Tigdas Campaign, or Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA), which began on Aug. 10.
MCHO data also showed that around 577 parents refused vaccination each day, while another 448 children were deferred for later vaccination.
Councilor Raul Kevin Cabahug, who introduced the resolution, said the investigation would determine whether social media posts contain misleading claims about vaccine safety and whether these are influencing parents’ decisions.
“That’s why, me, as part of the Health Board, we need to address this with the Department of Health and investigate,” Cabahug said in an interview on Aug. 17.
Cabahug said the low vaccination turnout was discussed during a Local Health Board meeting involving the Department of Health (DOH) and the Mandaue City Government.
He said social media posts emerged as one possible factor behind parents’ reluctance to have their children vaccinated.
“That’s why we found out nga tungod gyud diay aning social media. There are a lot of people who are posting anti-vaccination,” he said.
Cabahug said some posts warn parents against vaccination and claim that immunization could cause serious harm, including death.
He said other posts feature incidents involving children without evidence establishing that the incidents were caused by vaccines.
Cabahug said the claims should be examined to determine whether they are supported by evidence.
“This would be fair enough, for the public to know,” he said.
If the investigation finds that the posts contain misinformation, Cabahug said he would seek the help of media organizations to clarify the claims and provide information from health authorities.
The resolution specifically calls for an investigation into social media posts and other online content allegedly contributing to vaccine hesitancy, particularly material that may mislead parents about vaccine safety and effectiveness.
“Based on this resolution, we are really condemning those people who are promoting the anti-vaccination,” Cabahug said.
He acknowledged that parents have the right to decide whether their children will receive vaccines but said the concern arises when unverified claims are used to discourage others from immunization.
“We respect different rights, katungod natong mubalibad, but these vaccines are tested already nga kung magpa-vaccine atong mga bata maka-proteher gyud for decades,” he said.
Cabahug also warned that continued vaccine hesitancy could increase the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles.
“Mao sad na atong gikahadlokan sa future,” he said.
The resolution cited a 2024 study that examined comments on YouTube videos about vaccines. The study found that 80 percent of the comments reflected vaccine-hesitant views, while 46 percent expressed outright refusal to be vaccinated. It also found that anti-vaccine content generated more engagement than pro-vaccine messages.
Cabahug said the city’s investigation would help establish what claims are being circulated online and whether they have scientific basis.
“As a nurse by profession also, it is proven that these vaccines can really help prevent these diseases and viruses. Hopefully, ato ning ma-address,” he said.
He urged parents to verify health information with medical professionals before concluding that an illness or adverse incident involving a child was caused by vaccination.
“Mas maayo gyud nga gikan sa mga health professionals ang reports. Let’s be vigilant,” Cabahug said.
Mandaue health workers will continue vaccination activities, including house-to-house operations, as the city works to address concerns raised by parents.
Cabahug said parents cannot be forced to have their children vaccinated but should have access to accurate information from health professionals before making their decisions.
The proposed investigation will determine whether the social media posts identified by the council contain false or misleading information and whether further action is warranted based on the findings.
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