Decrease in coverage for second doses of the MMR vaccine
Coverage for second doses of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccines administered to six-year-old children has decreased, which increases the risk of a measles epidemics.
More than 95 percent of the population must receive two doses of the MMR vaccine in order to break measles transmission chains and provide herd immunity against the disease.
Measles is an infectious condition affecting the entire body, and serious secondary conditions may occur. Regardless of age, it can be a serious illness for anyone who does not have the protection provided by having had the disease or having received vaccinations.
In the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County, the coverage for second doses of the MMR vaccine among children born in 2017 amounts to a mere 86.6 percent. Read more on the THL website(external link).
Ensure your child’s proper vaccination protection
Should your 6-year-old child not have received the second dose of the MMR vaccine, we encourage you to book an appointment at the maternity and child health clinic to keep your child’s protection up to date. You can book an appointment by contacting the maternity and child health clinic. You will find all ways to contact the clinics on our website. If your child still has not had their check-up for 6-year-olds at the clinic, the vaccine will be administered during that appointment.
If your child already attends school and has not yet received a vaccine, you can book an appointment with your child's school nurse.
Two doses of the vaccine provide lifetime protection.
- Family centre
- Maternity and child health clinics