The ministry said the campaign targets children born between Aug 1, 2020, and Jan 31, 2025, aiming to strengthen the existing immunisation programme by boosting and restoring herd immunity.

The programme also supports the national goal of eliminating measles by 2030, with the primary objective of raising immunisation coverage and providing early protection to prevent wider transmission, it said in a statement.

Measles and rubella are highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, including ear infections, pneumonia, encephalitis, seizures, and in some cases, death.

The ministry said both diseases are preventable through the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.

Under the national immunisation programme, the MMR vaccine is administered at nine and 12 months, while Sabah administers an extra measles dose at six months.

“Overall, Malaysia’s immunisation coverage has exceeded 95% annually, including in 2024. However, only 62% of districts achieved MMR coverage above 95% in 2024,” the ministry said.

It said a minimum of 95% coverage is crucial to achieve herd immunity and control the spread of the disease.

Official data showed measles cases nearly doubled in 2024, with 3,791 cases recorded compared to 2,002 in 2023. The number of outbreaks rose to 231, from 112 the previous year.

Of the reported cases, 44.1% involved children under five years old, while 28.9% were non-citizens, of whom 84.3% had never been vaccinated.

Three measles-related deaths were recorded last year, all involving unvaccinated non‑citizen children aged eight months, three years, and 17 years.

The ministry urged parents and guardians to promptly bring eligible children for the free supplementary measles‑rubella (MR) vaccination.

Appointments will be sent via MySejahtera, or can be made directly in the app. Walk‑ins are also accepted at government health clinics, it said.