The immunization of 563,000 children will begin on April 1, and will be organized by the Ministry of Health, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO).

The action responds to the epidemiological alert for measles in Latin America, established by PAHO as a result of the low coverage of first and second doses of the MMR vaccine, as well as an increase in measles cases globally and imported cases in countries of the region.

Experts from PAHO, the Ministry of Health and the Fund emphasize the importance of reaching a 95-percent coverage in children in view of the figures for the region.

Coverage must be optimal and homogeneous, Elvis Delgado, a CCSS physician, stressed in recent statements to local media. He explained that vaccination will be free of charge and that officials from the Ministry of Health and the Fund will go to several places such as schools, shelters, as well as house to house visits to carry out the vaccination.

There will also be vaccination posts in health centers, educational centers and public places such as parks.

The campaign will be extended until May 24. If 95 percent of the target population is not covered, it will be extended for an additional month.

In the case of school visits, the doctor instructed parents to their children with the vaccination book or the respective card.

The vaccine we are going to use is the same as the one administered since 2011; children with up-to-date vaccines require this booster.

In the case of children without any vaccination, it is considered important to provide this protection against measles and other diseases.

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