KINGSTON, Jamaica – Chief Medical Officer Dr Marion Bullock DuCasse is urging parents to ensure that their children get the second dose of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine so that they are fully protected against these diseases, especially in light of the present measles outbreak in the United States.

“We have always had compliance for the first dose of the vaccine in the 90 per cent range, but when it comes to the second dose it falls to about 80 per cent,” Dr Bullock Ducasse said. “Normally the second dose for MMR is given at four to six years old, but we are now giving it at 18 months so that we can better capture those who may not return for the dose later.”

The first MMR vaccine dose is given at 12 months. For children born July 2013 and after, the second dose is given at 18 months. For those born before that date, they receive their second dose between four and six years old.

A news release from the Ministry of Health Thursday said MMR and all other compulsory vaccines can be accessed at no cost at health centres.

“Parents are being asked to ensure that they fully immunise their children for their age immediately, to protect them against vaccine preventable diseases,” the release said.