Recommendations for Residents

Vaccination is the main preventive measure. To stop measles, 95% of the human population must be vaccinated. Following years of declines in measles vaccination coverage, (below 90% in some Municipalities), measles cases have increased, measles-susceptible groups appear, and the risk of transmission in unvaccinated subpopulations, especially children under one year of age, is increasing.

The proportion of vaccinated children started to decrease in 2009. Vaccination coverage was 97% in 2009 and only 92.2% in 2018.

According to the Preventive Vaccination Schedule of the Republic of Lithuania, children get two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, starting with the first dose at 15 to 16 months of age, and the second dose at 6 through 7 years of age (free of charge).

It is not recommended to delay vaccination of children with the MMR vaccine as indicated in the Preventive Vaccination Schedule of the Republic of Lithuania, unless there are sound reasons such as a contraindication to vaccination or illness.

For children who were not vaccinated on time, an individual vaccination schedule can be set up and they can be vaccinated.

Persons who have been exposed to measles are also vaccinated at public expense (at the latest within 72 hours after exposure).

Adults who do not know their vaccination status can contact their family doctor, who will assess their medical records or use a serological test to determine their immune response to measles (this test can also be carried out at the National Public Health Laboratory) and make recommendations for vaccination.

It is recommended that people who have not been vaccinated against measles with one dose of the vaccine be vaccinated.

Because MMR vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine, it is not recommended during pregnancy. After vaccination, it is recommended not to become pregnant for 1 month.

The vaccine is available in sufficient quantities for children and exposed persons in Lithuania.

Two doses of MMR vaccine provide long-lasting protection, the duration of which depends on individual organism.