Second phase of Measles-Rubella campaign to target 3.4 cr children

The Union Health Ministry has rolled out the second phase of the Measles-Rubella (MR) campaign to immunise around 3.4 crore children in the country against the two diseases, an official statement said on Monday.

In the second phase, the vaccination programme will be carried out in schools, community centres and health facilities in eight states and Union Territories -- Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana and Uttarakhand.

All children from nine months to less than 15 years of age will be given a single shot of MR vaccination during the campaign.

Following the campaign, MR vaccine will become a part of routine immunisation and will replace the measles vaccine, currently given to 9-12 months and 16-24 months children.

According to the Health Ministry, the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign has been successfully completed in the first phase in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

The campaign aims to cover approximately 41 crore children and is going to be the largest ever vaccination campaign worldwide.

It is a part of global efforts to reduce illness and deaths due to measles and rubella/ Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) in the country.

Measles immunisation directly contributes to the reduction of under-five child mortality and in combination with the rubella vaccine, it will control rubella and prevent CRS.

--IANS

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