In response to the ongoing global measles outbreak affecting children worldwide, the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), in partnership with healthcare facilities across the Emirate, has initiated a vaccination campaign. This campaign urges parents to take advantage of free MMR vaccinations (for measles, mumps, and rubella) available for children aged between one and five years old.

The Abu Dhabi centre has warned that measles is highly contagious and urged parents to ensure their children, aged between one and five years old, are vaccinated following a global increase in cases.

Free MMR vaccine in Abu Dhabi

The free MMR vaccination drive will run for three weeks, from May 28, 2024, until June 17, 2024.

While measles can affect individuals of all ages, children under five years old are the most vulnerable. The three-week campaign encourages the administration of an additional MMR vaccine dose to children in the targeted age group, regardless of their previous doses or confirmed diagnoses, to ensure more comprehensive protection against the disease. This initiative aligns with the centre’s proactive community health and wellbeing strategy.

The vaccine is available at 58 facilities and health centres across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, ensuring enhanced accessibility for the communities served by the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.

The national vaccination programme currently includes two doses of the Measles vaccine, with the first dose given at 12 months and the second at 18 months of age. The additional dose provided as part of the campaign will provide an added boost of protection in efforts to safeguard the community.

Parents can book their child’s appointment by visiting: www.adphc.gov.ae

Data from the WHO reveals that measles cases in 41 European countries surged to 42,200 last year, about 45 times higher than the number reported in 2022. Approximately one in five of these cases were individuals over the age of 20.

Between 2020 and 2022, 1.8 million infants in these 41 countries missed their measles vaccinations, according to the organization.

The measles virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The virus can remain viable for up to two hours in the air or on surfaces. Infected individuals are typically contagious from four days before to four days after the rash appears. The virus can cause severe complications and even death.

There isn’t a medical treatment for measles — you have to let the virus run its course. Hence, the best protection against measles is to receive the measles vaccine.

You might also like: Abu Dhabi Welcomes a New Butterfly Garden with Over 2,000 Butterflies