National Measles Supplementary Dose Campaign

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

What is Measles?

• Measles is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the measles virus and can lead to severe complications and death.

How is measles transmitted?

• Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and rash all over the body.

Who are at risk of getting measles infection?

• Measles can be very serious, especially among children under the age of five, adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune system. Measles can lead to lung infection, brain damage, deafness, and sometimes death.

Is there any treatment for Measles?

• Vaccination is the best, safest, and most effective tool to prevent measles disease, by taking all recommended measles vaccines during routine measles vaccination and mass immunization campaigns.

Is the Measles vaccine safe?

• The vaccination campaign will start from November 4th 2024 targeting children in the age group of 1 to 7 years old. Children of UAE nationals and residents are all eligible.

Where can I get my child vaccinated?

• The vaccine will be provided free of charge to the targeted age groups

What are the side effects of the vaccine?

• Individuals with previous allergic reaction to antibiotic neomycin, or any other component of MMR or MMRV vaccine, should not get the vaccine.
• Pregnant Women should not take the vaccine. Also, women should avoid getting pregnant within 4 weeks after vaccination with MMR vaccine.
• If the person getting the vaccine: Has HIV /AIDS, or another disease that affects the immune system.
• Is treated with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids
• Moderately to critically ill patients admitted in the hospital.

If a child has received all the scheduled doses in the vaccination program, do they also need to take the additional campaign dose?

• Better Protection: it will make sure that children will have additional protection from the virus.
• Long-Term Immunity: it will help the children have long-lasting immunity from the virus.
• It will increase coverage and prevent outbreaks

How can I get more information about the vaccine and who to contact for more enquiries?

• For further inquiries or additional questions about the measles campaign vaccine, kindly contact the call centres of health authorities.