Measles Vaccine Demand Creates Kilometer-Long Lines in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — High demand for measles vaccines has created lines stretching up to a kilometer at immunization sites in Playa del Carmen, with some locations running out of doses despite multiple vaccination points across the city.

In recent days, long queues formed at locations like the Walmart on 30th Avenue in the city center, where the line reached nearly a kilometer with hundreds of people of all ages waiting for vaccines. Similar scenes occurred at other sites, including the ADO bus terminal downtown, where officials announced around 2 p.m. that doses had run out, despite people arriving as early as 11 a.m. to line up.

The surge in demand comes amid a measles outbreak. Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by a paramyxovirus that spreads through droplets from coughing or sneezing. Symptoms include high fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads throughout the body.

Hundreds of residents under 49 years old, along with children, have been visiting vaccination sites to complete or begin their immunization schedules.

Vaccination Sites and Schedule

Currently operating vaccination points include:

• Walmart (Downtown, 30th Avenue North): Monday through Friday throughout February, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• ADO Centro (141 Fifth Avenue): Thursday, February 12 and Friday, February 13, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• ADO Alterna (20th Avenue North at 12th Street North, Centro neighborhood): Thursday, February 19 and Friday, February 20, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• CSU 1 Ejido Playa and Playa del Carmen General Hospital: Monday through Friday throughout February, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

An additional vaccination event organized by the municipal government through the Municipal Health Department is scheduled for February 16-17 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Nuevo Palacio Municipal plaza.

During this event, free MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccines will be administered to children according to the national immunization schedule, and MR (measles and rubella) vaccines will be available for adolescents and adults with incomplete or delayed vaccination records.

Priority Groups

According to Municipal Health Secretary José Antonio Uribe Trujillo, priority groups include:

• Children aged 12 and 18 months (first dose at one year, second at 18 months)
• Six-year-old boosters for those who haven’t received them
• People aged 10 to 49 without vaccination history or with incomplete schedules

To receive the vaccine, individuals must present their National Health Card and CURP (Unique Population Registry Code) for proper record-keeping.