A registry of unvaccinated children is being compiled: Minister

Minister of Health, Abdulla Ameen has revealed that the ministry is compiling a registry of unvaccinated children.

The reveal was made during a press conference on Wednesday night, where Minister Ameen stated that the registry will include minors below 18 years of age, who have no been vaccinated in the country.

Ameen stated that the registry will be compiled by Thursday and that it will include minors from all parts of the country.

Thus far, the ministry has gathered information from 48 islands across the country.

Further, the minister added that vaccinations are also being provided and thus far, over 1,200 individuals have been vaccinated under the ministry’s efforts to ensure there are no unvaccinated individuals left in the country.

It has been revealed that although the World Health Organization (WHO) publicly declared the elimination of measles from Maldives during June 2017, the disease is prone to re-surface as it has a high tourist arrivals rate, some of whom may already have the disease.

HPA is working on preparations for a measles vaccination campaign to enable every who has not gotten two doses to complete their vaccinations, this is an important step to ensure the disease is eradicated from the country and does not re-emerge.

Maldives began vaccination services in 1976, having introduced vaccines for measles during 1983. The last patient to have tested positive to measles was treated during 2009.