Growing anti-vaccination sentiment could undermine decades of public health progress in the Maldives and increase the risk of previously controlled diseases returning, Health Protection Agency (HPA) has warned.
In a written response to questions submitted by Mihaaru News under the Right to Information Act, the agency identified anti-vaccine misinformation as one of the most significant challenges facing efforts to protect public health.
According to HPA, vaccine skepticism creates fear among parents and weakens public confidence in advice provided by health authorities.
The agency expressed concern that declining vaccination rates could lead to the re-emergence of diseases that have either been eliminated or brought under control in the Maldives, including measles and polio.
Maldives achieved measles elimination status in 2017, when the World Health Organization recognized the country for interrupting endemic transmission of the highly contagious disease. Since then, most reported cases have been linked to imported infections among expatriates.
However, the current outbreak has raised concerns after transmission was detected among local residents.
Of the nine confirmed measles cases reported so far, two involve foreign nationals whose vaccination status remains unclear. The remaining seven are Maldivians who had received measles vaccinations. Two had received a single dose, while five had completed the recommended two-dose schedule.
The HPA noted that two doses of the measles vaccine provide approximately 97 percent protection against infection.
"However, when the disease spreads within the community, there remains a small risk of infection among vaccinated individuals. Completing the vaccination schedule significantly reduces the risk of severe illness," the agency said.
HPA also highlighted concerns about declining herd immunity, which occurs when a sufficiently large proportion of a population is immune to a disease, limiting its ability to spread.
According to the agency, increasing vaccine hesitancy and falling vaccination uptake can weaken community protection and create conditions for outbreaks.
"This puts vulnerable groups, including infants, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women, at greater risk," the HPA said.
Rather than pursuing action against individuals who oppose vaccination, the agency said its focus is on public education and awareness.
Efforts include awareness sessions for parents, information campaigns through television and radio programmes, and the production of educational videos and social media content explaining the benefits and safety of vaccines.
Despite concerns over vaccine hesitancy, the HPA said vaccination coverage in the Maldives remains high, with around 98 percent of the population receiving vaccines included in the national immunisation programme.
