The Health Ministry has officially launched the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Supplementary Immunization Activity across all immunization clinic centers in nine identified high-risk health districts. The targeted areas encompass Colombo (including the CMC area), Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Jaffna, Kurunegala, and Kalmunai.
Running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., this vaccination program, spearheaded by the Epidemiology Unit, specifically targets children born between April 7, 2023, and July 5, 2023. The decision to administer an additional vaccination dose against measles to infants aged 6 to 9 months is a response to the increased number of cases observed over the past year.
The second phase of the MMR vaccination drive is scheduled to commence on January 20, expanding its coverage to other age groups nationwide. Health authorities emphasize that the MMR vaccination in this phase is considered an additional dose. It is important to note that routine MMR vaccination should still be administered to all children who have received the SIA-MMR vaccination upon completion of 9 months and 3 years of age.
