In Sri Lanka, the government is rushing to control the spread of measles. A booster vaccine roll-out is being prioritized for babies. 

Colombo

In response to a rising urgency to curb the spread of measles, Sri Lanka's government is taking proactive steps to tackle the situation. A significant part of this strategy involves expediting the distribution of booster vaccines, with a particular emphasis being placed on immunizing infants. This move underscores a concentrated effort to safeguard the country's youngest and most vulnerable population from the contagious disease.



Babies prioritized for measles booster in Sri Lanka

Attempting to keep children and their communities safe, this government clinic in a densely populated area of Colombo has started administering additional measles vaccines. Five years ago, Sri Lanka succeeded in eliminating measles, but an outbreak last May, mainly affecting babies, prompted health authorities to introduce an additional dose for infants six to nine months old. The highly contagious airborne disease spreads easily, especially when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The increase in infections to more than 700 in 10 months has many parents worried. He is due for the vaccine because he is three years old and there is also a surge in the spread of measles. That's why I brought him. Sri Lanka introduced the measles vaccine 40 years ago and claimed 99% coverage, but the pandemic resulted in a decrease in vaccinations. Recent estimates said 10,000 Sri Lankan children had not been vaccinated. Doctors are warning of dire consequences if that doesn't change. People don't understand the dangers now. Parents may think once the child's got measles, everything will be okay, but complications like those in the brain can occur after five years. The children's agency UNICEF, which is supporting health authorities with additional immunizations, says Sri Lanka had almost eliminated measles, but unvaccinated people are at risk. It's a global world now, so any family who travels to a geography where transmission of measles is happening, it's very likely that they may carry back the infection and again spread this infection. Even if there is a vulnerable group of people in Sri Lanka who are not fully immune yet, then they always remain a potential source for further spreading the infection. Despite years of underinvestment, a crippling economic crisis and the arrest of the former health minister for fraud, the government says public health care remains a priority. Having eradicated measles once, authorities here are determined to do so again, counting on a strong community health care system. But a previous drop in cases and fears about vaccines are making that difficult. Minal Fernandes, Al Jazeera, Colombo.

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