There was a measles outbreak in this country recently. If you think you or your children have measles, you can call 1700 or get in touch via online chat Heilsuveru's online chat and we advise you on the next steps.

Note that if infection is suspected, do not come to a clinic or hospital due to the risk of group infection.

Health care encourages parents to ensure that children are vaccinated against measles. If you have any questions, call 1700 or your health center.

Children 0-6 months

  • Children 0-6 months are not vaccinated.
  • If a group infection occurs, parents are encouraged to keep children of this age away from many people.

Children 6-18 months

  • Children aged 6-18 months can only be vaccinated if there is a risk that they will be infected or have been infected.
  • Vaccination within three days of infection reduces the chance of illness.
  • If there is an infection, infection tracking starts. Parents will be contacted by message on My pages at Heilsuveru or SMS.
  • If parents do not receive a message, vaccination is not offered for children of this age.
  • Vaccination done before the age of 12 months does not provide long-term protection, and the vaccination must then be repeated at the age of 18 months and then again at the age of 12.

Children 18 months and older

  • Parents of children 18 months and older who have not been vaccinated are encouraged to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible.
  • It is best to contact your health center and make an appointment for vaccination.
  • If parents are not sure if a child is vaccinated, you can find information about it at My pages on Heilsuveru. You can also contact us by phone at 1700 or through Heilsuveru's online chat and get information about childhood vaccinations.

Adults

  • People born before 1970 should not be vaccinated as there is a high probability that they have had measles.
  • If an infection occurs in the immediate environment of adults born in 1970 or later, the infection tracking team will contact and offer vaccination to the person concerned.

Symptoms of measles

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, with up to 90 percent of those exposed becoming infected. Infection occurs mainly through spray from the respiratory system, for example when coughing or sneezing. Unlike influenza and cold viruses, the measles virus can remain in the air and cause infection for up to two hours after it is released into the atmosphere.

Symptoms of measles infection are usually similar to flu symptoms at the beginning and appear 1-3 weeks after infection.

  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Fever
  • Runny nose
  • Cough
  • Headache
  • Burning eyes, redness and/or watery eyes
  • A rash that covers the entire body appears on the third or fourth day
  • Rashes in the mucous membranes of the mouth are very characteristic, but are most visible on the first day of the rash
  • Young children often have diarrhea with fever before the rash appears

Information about measles can be found on Heilsuveru's educational website.