HPA to resume measles vaccination for people with incomplete dose

Maldives health authorities will resume measles vaccination for people who have not completed the recommended two-dose schedule, after recent measles cases in the Greater Male' area prompted a renewed public-health response.

The Health Protection Agency said additional vaccine supplies are being arranged from abroad. The move comes after the agency confirmed measles cases in the Maldives and urged people with symptoms to seek medical care.

HPA's public advice includes getting prompt attention for fever with a red rash and isolating while measles testing is pending. Officials have also linked the vaccination drive to the recent cases reported in Greater Male'.

The catch-up campaign is aimed at people who missed one or both doses, according to reports on the plan. HPA has not yet publicly detailed the full rollout, including the start date, eligibility rules or how many doses are being imported.

Measles is highly contagious, and public-health officials typically use vaccination and contact tracing to limit spread after new cases are detected. HPA first disclosed measles cases in mid-May and has continued its response as new details emerged later in the month.