Government health officials to distribute no-cost vaccinations for measles and rubella to young children.
The Malaysian Ministry of Health has urged parents and guardians to bring eligible children for a free supplementary measles-rubella (MR) vaccination, as part of a nationwide campaign aimed at strengthening herd immunity and reducing outbreaks caused by immunity gaps at the district level.
Walk-ins are also accepted at government health clinics for the supplementary MR vaccination. This campaign is crucial, as a minimum of 95% coverage is required to achieve herd immunity and control the spread of measles.
The campaign targets children aged 6 months to 59 months born between August 2020 and January 2025. This is in response to the rise in measles infections and related deaths among unvaccinated children, with three measles-related deaths recorded in 2024, all involving unvaccinated non-citizen children.
In 2024, Malaysia's immunization coverage exceeded 95% annually. However, only 62% of districts achieved MMR coverage above 95%. This discrepancy indicates that while national coverage is high, there are regional gaps in MMR immunization.
Measles and rubella are highly contagious and can lead to serious complications. In 2024, there were 3,791 recorded measles cases, nearly double the 2,002 cases in 2023. Of these cases, 44.1% involved children under five years old.
The MMR vaccine is administered at nine and 12 months under the national immunization program. Sabah administers an extra measles dose at six months. The program supports the national goal of eliminating measles by 2030.
Appointments for the supplementary MR vaccination can be made via MySejahtera or directly in the app. The campaign aims to boost and restore herd immunity, and to reduce the number of measles outbreaks, which rose to 231 in 2024, from 112 in the previous year.
It's important to note that measles and rubella are preventable through the MMR vaccine. The supplementary immunisation activity will provide additional free MMR doses at government clinics, facilitating improved access and coverage.
References:
- Ministry of Health Malaysia
- World Health Organization
- Malaysian Ministry of Health Press Release
- To enhance the health-and-wellness of children across Malaysia, the Ministry of Health has launched a nationwide campaign to administer free MMR vaccinations, particularly focusing on districts with insufficient herd immunity.
- Eligible children in Sabah, Malaysia, can receive an additional measles dose at six months, in line with the region's health measures to better combat the spread of the disease.
- The supplementary MR vaccination initiative, which can be booked via MySejahtera or directly in the app, is one step closer to the nation's goal of eliminating measles by 2030, as outlined in the national immunization program.
- Apart from physical health, mental health is equally essential. Regular fitness-and-exercise routines, alongside proper nutrition, can help bolster the immune system, reducing susceptibility to diseases like measles.
