Oman issues pregnancy advisory over measles vaccinations

To counter rumours that women should not get pregnant for 6 months after getting vaccinated

Women should avoid getting pregnant for one month after taking measles vaccination, health ministry has the Oman’s said.

The clarification came after rumours circulated on social media platforms that woman should not get pregnant for six months after being vaccinated.

The ministry said the vaccine was safe for women post-pregnancy, as well as for women who were breastfeeding.

Last week, Oman’s Health Ministry launched a national immunisation campaign against measles, mumps and rubella amid a recent outbreak of measles cases.

Nationals and residents alike, between the ages of 20 and 35, are eligible to receive free vaccinations for the three viruses.

The campaign began on May 14 and will end on May 27. The next phase will be conducted after Ramadan.

The ministry said the spike had been caused by the increasing number of expatriates arriving from other countries.

The Oman outbreak coincides with the global epidemic of measles.

Measles cases have decreased drastically in Oman, from 679 cases in 1981 to a mere 15 cases in 2001, which is largely due to sustained and routine immunisation, awareness campaigns and intensive case-based surveillance.

Oman experienced a rubella outbreak in 1987—1988 with 257 reported rubella cases.

This epidemic resulted in 34 infants with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).

Measles is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact and through the air. It can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine, but due to immunisation gaps remains one of the biggest killers of children worldwide.