INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry is continuing its MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) Catch-up Immunization Program for children aged
between 9 months and 15 years over this weekend
Accordingly, the program is held island-wide on Jan
20 and 21.The measles vaccination rollout was kicked off after observing a decrease in measles vaccination rates both globally and
regionally during the recent COVID-19 pandemic.Epidemiology Unit says this decrease resulted in a significant surge in the incidence of
measles cases on both a global and regional level.Adding to this global challenge, Sri Lanka is currently experiencing an imported Measles
outbreak since May 2023.A considerable number of cases have been reported to date predominantly among vaccine refusal communities and
subsequently spreading to those who were partially vaccinated (between 9 months - 3 years), the Epidemiology Unit emphasized.In response to
this situation, a nationwide MMR Catch-up Immunization Program was on January 06, specifically targeting children aged 9 months to 15 years
who have missed their due routine MMR vaccinations.Epidemiology Unit noted that children who missed the opportunity to receive the MMR dose
during the initial campaign, can receive the catch-up doses at the routine immunization clinic within their respective Medical Officer of
Health (MOH) areas.The primary goal of this initiative is to ensure that children aged 9 months to 15 years have the opportunity to receive
any missed routine MMR vaccinations.Parents and caregivers are strongly encouraged to bring their eligible children to the nearest
immunization clinic to facilitate catch-up vaccination.This collective effort contributes to the overall public health goal of preventing
the spread of measles in Sri Lanka, Epidemiology Unit said further.Meanwhile, the MMR Supplementary Immunization Activity (SIA) initiated on
January 06 for children aged 6-9 months is also being rolled out further on Saturdays until February 03.The SIA takes place from 9:00 a.m
in Colombo (including the CMC area), Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Jaffna, Kurunegala and Kalmunai health districts
Children born between April 07, 2023, and July 05, 2023, are eligible to receive the additional vaccination dose.
