By: Isuru Parakrama
November 02, Colombo (LNW): In response to a recent resurgence of measles cases, Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry has designated a special vaccination week from November 4 to 9, according to a statement from the Health Promotion Bureau.
This initiative aims to contain the outbreak that has impacted primarily adults in the 20–30 age range since 2023, raising concerns amongst health authorities.
The ministry’s press release noted that while the initial cases have mostly appeared among young adults, the virus has subsequently been transmitted to younger children, particularly infants under nine months.
The upcoming vaccination campaign will focus on those at higher risk: individuals aged 20 to 30 will receive immunisations for measles and Rubella, while children from nine months to 19 years will be vaccinated against measles alone.
The recent cases are a stark reminder of the nation’s past battle with the disease. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) had declared Sri Lanka free of endemic measles, crediting the achievement to sustained immunisation efforts that interrupted local transmission of the virus.
However, this resurgence underscores the need for vigilance, especially given measles’ highly infectious nature and its potential to endanger vulnerable young children.
Health authorities have reiterated the importance of timely vaccination to prevent further spread, with this special week representing an essential public health effort to safeguard communities across the country.
