Through the MMR (Measles,Mumps and Rubella) Vaccine which is due to be introduced to the National Immunization Programme from 01st of October this year it will expect to save 280,000 to 2.8 million working days which are lost due to the people affected from Mumps in Sri Lanka according to the Senior Epidemiologist Dr.Sudath Pieris.
Dr.Pieris said that 0.1 to 1 percent of the Sri Lankan Population are affected with the disease Mumps every year and that is around 20,000 to 200,000 patients annually.Due to the symptoms of Mumps people have to keep away from their offices,schools and universities for long time and this will affect the Economy badly he stressed.
As the MMR Vaccine is introduced to the Immunization Programme the Rubella Vaccine currently administered through the programme will be stopped as the protection against Rubella Disease too provided by the new vaccine.
Addressing a Media Seminar on MMR Vaccine held in Health Education Bureau today Dr.Sudath Pieris has said that the MMR Vaccine will be given to the Children aged One Year and Three Years and the Females 16-44 years with the effect from 01st of October this year.The Government will spend Rs.200 million for importing of one million doses of MMR Vaccines required annually he further added.