With the rising the cases of measles , the additional vaccination program targeting children between 6 to 15 years , being conducted today (06) in 1,600 clinics in 9 districts.
Under the first phase of providing additional doses of measles, in nine densely populated districts including Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Jaffna, Kurunegala and Kalmunai, where measles cases were most reported, as an additional dose to young children aged 6 months to 15 years. This vaccine will be given.
However, health secretary Palitha Mahipala says that children who have not yet received a dose of measles vaccine can also be vaccinated from these clinics.
The Health Secretary stated that he hopes to implement this program once again in the third plan.
“The World Health Organization has received knowledge, funds, to deliver this dose of vaccine. I personally made a request to the Regional Director of South Asia in a letter about this. Accordingly, we were sent an expert as well as provision of the World Health Organization. The South Asian Regional Immunity and Vaccination Coordinator contacted us within one day to provide technical and expert support. Also, scholars from the South Asian region supported in this regard. Both UNICEF and WHO representatives in Sri Lanka provided special support.” Health Secretary Palitha Mahipala said.
