Nine districts to receive extra doses of measles vaccine from today

All vaccination clinics in nine high-risk health districts have initiated an MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) Supplementary Immunization Activity (SIA) today (6) with UNICEF and WHO partnership.

The vaccination program is scheduled for Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Jaffna, Kurunegala, and Kalmunai health districts from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

As per the Epidemiology Unit, children who are born between April 07, 2023, and July 05, 2023 are welcome to receive a booster shot.

On January 20, the second phase will begin and be expanded to include more age groups nationwide.

Given the recent spike in measles infections, the health authorities have decided to give infants between the ages of 6 and 9 months an additional dosage of vaccination.

The Epidemiology Unit recommends routine MMR vaccination for all children who have received SIA-MMR vaccination, at 9 months and 3 years of age.

Sri Lanka, declared as the fourth Southeast Asian country to eliminate measles in 2019, experienced over 700 cases in 2023, raising concerns.

Parents have been advised by health officials to make sure their children have the necessary vaccinations.