Gov’t Announces Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign

The Ministry of Health has announced the initiation of a Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign. 

The official announcement was made during a ceremony held on World AIDS Day in Kulhudhuffushi City. The decision to launch a national measles vaccination campaign stems from the notable increase in measles cases in the country earlier this year. 

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The Ministry of Health aims to curb the spread of the disease with the commencement of the campaign scheduled for November 14. The vaccine will be made available to Maldivians and expatriates aged between 18 months and 49 years who have not received two doses of the measles vaccine.

Key vaccination centers during the campaign include the Dhamana Veshi healthcare centre, ADK Hospital, Hulhumale’ Hospital, and the GP Clinic in Hulhumale’ Phase II. Furthermore, hospitals and health centres in the atolls will also administer the vaccines.

Despite historically maintaining a vaccination coverage exceeding 95%, the Maldives witnessed PCR-positive measles cases in 2020, leading to the launch of a nationwide MR vaccination campaign. The initiative was, however, halted due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the recent measles outbreak, precautionary measures have been implemented as the vaccination campaign resumes.

The Maldives introduced the MR vaccine in 1983, achieving remarkable success in maintaining a measles-free status in 2017 and rubella-free status in 2020, as recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The government’s renewed commitment to vaccination reflects its ongoing efforts to safeguard public health amid evolving health challenges.