Immunisation program to prevent spread of measles

The Health Ministry has taken steps to provide an additional measles vaccine for infants in the six to 12 months age group to prevent the spread of measles in Sri Lanka. Measles surveillance data reveals an increasing number of laboratory confirmed measles cases between January to May this year, with the higher proportions reported among infants below the age of one.

An island-wide program to immunise children of this age group was organised in this regard, at all immunisation clinics, last Friday.

For those children who would have missed this opportunity, immunisation can be done on consecutive Saturdays from July 6 through 27 at the central clinic, MOH office.

The vaccine is given in addition to the MMR vaccine given to children at the age of one year and three years.