The Ministry of Health has announced the launch of a special measles vaccination program starting today, November 4, and running through November 9. This initiative targets 12 selected districts across Sri Lanka.
Although measles has been largely eradicated in the country, health authorities are responding to reports of measles cases in certain areas from the previous year. Dr. Hasitha Thisera, the chief epidemiologist at the Institute of Epidemiology, emphasized the importance of this program in his statements.
“The primary objective is to reach the younger generation, particularly those who have not yet received the measles vaccine, or those who may have missed it due to various reasons,” Dr. Thisera explained. He further noted that the program aims to provide a second dose of the measles vaccine to individuals who have either not received full protection or have only received one dose previously.
Dr. Thisera highlighted the significant progress made in measles vaccination over the past 10 to 20 years, but he cautioned that the introduction of the measles virus into the environment poses a risk to those who are unvaccinated. “This program is crucial for reducing that risk,” he concluded, urging young people and their guardians to take advantage of this vaccination opportunity to help maintain the country’s measles-free status.
