​Colombo - A special measles vaccination program kicked off today in 12 districts across Sri Lanka. 

This four-week program, organized by the Ministry of Health with support from UNICEF and WHO, targets youth aged 20 to 30 years who received only one dose of the measles vaccine, aiming to boost their long-term immunity against the disease.

The program’s first vaccination session was held at the Thalangama Divisional Hospital on November 9, 2024, with Health Ministry Secretary D. Palitha Mahipala and UNICEF Sri Lanka Country Representative Christian Skoog in attendance. The 12 districts involved in the program include Jaffna, Puttalam, Gampaha, Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Ampara, Kalmunai, Batticaloa, City, and Kandy.

Young adults between the ages of 20 and 30 are encouraged to visit their nearest Medical Officer of Health (MoH) office, Public Health Inspector (PHI), or public health midwife for more information and to receive their second dose. This additional dose is vital to protect them against measles.

The measles vaccine was first introduced to Sri Lanka’s immunization program in 1984, with a second dose added in 2001 to strengthen immunity. Sri Lanka was declared measles-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019, but a global decline in immunization between 2020 and 2022 has led to rising measles cases in the country and across South Asia.

Measles is highly contagious; one infected person can transmit the virus to up to 18 others. This new vaccination program is expected to reduce the risk of outbreaks and protect young people from the disease.