The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has launched the third phase of its measles vaccination programme, offering the second dose of the measles-containing vaccine to people under the age of 49 who have not completed the recommended two-dose schedule.

The expanded campaign comes as measles cases continue to increase across the Maldives. HPA said 121 cases have been reported so far this year, with 55 infections recorded during the past week alone.

As part of its outbreak response, the agency has already completed vaccinations for children under the age of 18 and is now focusing on eligible adults. The second-dose campaign for those under 49 will run from 7 July to 30 July 2026.

HPA has also been vaccinating close contacts of confirmed cases who have not completed the two-dose schedule. To date, 220 contacts have received the vaccine, while 1,537 frontline healthcare workers have also been vaccinated.

In the Greater Malé area, the MR vaccine is available at:

Vaccination schedules for the Greater Malé area have been published on HPA's social media platforms, while health facilities in the atolls will announce their own operating hours.

Although measles had previously been eliminated in the Maldives, HPA has intensified vaccination and surveillance efforts following the recent outbreak.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the measles virus. It spreads through respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can infect people of all ages, although children are most commonly affected.

A person with measles can transmit the virus from approximately four days before the appearance of the characteristic rash until four days afterwards. Health authorities note that up to 90 per cent of susceptible people who have close contact with an infected individual are likely to contract the disease.

Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles and limit further transmission.