Due to the resurgence of measles which had been eradicated from the country for 5 years, the Ministry of Health has taken steps to implement the necessary vaccination to control it from next month.
In the first phase, vaccination is done only in the 09 areas where the disease is most prevalent.
Most measles cases in Sri Lanka are reported in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Jaffna, Kurunegala and Kalmunai.
In those districts, a dose of measles vaccine is to be given to babies between 06 and 15 months.
This program will run on Saturday 06 January 2024 from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.
These vaccinations are given to the people of the respective districts from the nearest clinic.
Due to the global focus on the Covid-19 pandemic, the decline in immunization coverage has been a stark sight.
Due to this, reports of measles cases have increased.
In 2019, Sri Lanka was certified as a measles-free country by the World Health Organization.
Similarly, the number of measles cases has increased in many countries including India and Pakistan.
The Ministry of Health further stated that if any person has not received a measles vaccine, they are expected to be given a measles vaccine under this program.
This kind of program will be implemented throughout the island in the third week of January.
