The Health Ministry has initiated the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Supplementary Immunization Activity (SIA) across all immunization clinic centers in nine high-risk health districts.
The targeted regions encompass Colombo (including the CMC area), Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Jaffna, Kurunegala, and Kalmunai.
Taking place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., this vaccination program, led by the Epidemiology Unit, prioritizes children born between April 7, 2023, and July 5, 2023. The decision to administer an additional vaccination dose against measles for infants aged 6 to 9 months stems from a surge in cases observed over the past year.
The second phase of the MMR vaccination drive is scheduled to kick off on January 20, extending its coverage to include other age groups nationwide.
Health authorities emphasize that the MMR vaccination should be viewed as an additional dose, with routine MMR vaccination recommended for all children who have received the SIA-MMR vaccination upon reaching 9 months and 3 years of age.
