The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has announced that the rollout of the Measles and Rubella (MR) vaccine begins today. In the Malé area, the vaccination program will be conducted in phases, with the first phase targeting healthcare workers and individuals under the age of 18. Vaccination for this specific group is scheduled to run from today until the 30th of this month.

HPA has released specific vaccination schedules for centers across the capital region. The Urban Primary Health Care Center (UPHCCC) will administer vaccines on Saturdays and Sundays from 08:30 AM to 03:00 PM. Hulhumalé Hospital will provide the service on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays from 09:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM. Senahiya Hospital will operate from Sunday through Thursday between 10:00 AM and 04:00 PM, while Vilingili Hospital will be open from Sunday through Thursday from 01:30 PM to 03:30 PM. Health centers in the atolls and islands will announce their respective service hours independently.

The campaign comes as measles begins to spread in the country, with 22 individuals testing positive for the disease so far this year. Measles is a highly contagious and dangerous illness characterized by symptoms such as a high fever, red skin rashes, coughing, a runny nose, and red eyes. The disease can lead to severe and life-threatening complications, such as pneumonia and vision impairment, making it crucial for individuals to complete both doses of the vaccine for full protection.

To curb the spread, authorities advise anyone experiencing a fever and red rashes to seek medical care and wear a mask when visiting healthcare facilities. Potential patients are strongly urged to avoid public transportation and crowded places if they show symptoms. Furthermore, individuals undergoing testing for suspected measles must remain in isolation until their test results are received.

In July 2020, the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (WHO-SEARO) officially certified the Maldives and Sri Lanka as the first two nations in the region to successfully eliminate measles and rubella. Despite this milestone, the Maldives has encountered subsequent cases of the disease, including a cluster of cases detected in 2022.