The Public Health Department is reinforcing its call for measles awareness and vaccination following the confirmation of a measles case in Miami, Florida. With ongoing outbreaks in several U.S. states, including Texas, New York, and Georgia, regional travel increases the risk of importation of measles cases.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nick Gent stated, “The identification of a measles case in Miami highlights the importance of ensuring our population is protected against this highly contagious disease. Vaccination is the best defense against measles, and we encourage all parents to check their children’s immunisation status.”
The MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is usually administered at 15 months and 18 months. However, prior to the recent outbreak in the United States, the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Department had been in the process of revising the national immunisation schedule to administer the first dose of MMR at 12 months instead of 15 months. This adjustment, which aligns with current international immunisation guidelines, is planned for implementation in the coming months to enhance early protection against measles.
“We are encouraging parents of 1-year-olds to take advantage of the upcoming vaccination clinics this Saturday,” said Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, Medical Officer of Health. “This proactive approach will help ensure that young children receive the protection they need earlier, reducing their risk of exposure.”
In response to this latest situation, the Public Health Department will be increasing access to the special MMR vaccination clinics on Saturday, 8 March, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM to include the George Town Public Health Clinic (2nd Floor, Smith Road Medical Centre), West Bay Health Centre and Bodden Town Health Centre. In Cayman Brac at the Aston Rutty Medical Wing, a special walk in MMR vaccination clinic will be held on Wednesday, 12 March from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. These clinics are open to all individuals needing to update their vaccinations, with a focus on young children and school-age children.
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