In the Measles Rubella (MR) campaign, Uttarakhand has achieved a commendable 95 per cent of success till date. The campaign has achieved 100 percent success rate in the eleven districts of the State while 96 per cent success has been achieved in Dehradun district. In Haridwar district, the campaign is able to cover only 70 per cent of the targeted children.
The State immunization officer, Dr Bharati Rana said that the campaign has received desired success in Uttarakhand and a formal declaration to end the campaign would soon be made. She added that the campaign would continue in Haridwar district for some more time. The MR campaign got started late in Haridwar district as it was under the comprehensive immunization programme, the Mission Indradhanush. She appreciated the efforts of education department, child development department, Panchayati Raj, lions club, Indian Medical Association (IMA), Pediatric doctors association and other departments and organizations in success of the programme in the state.
With an aim to vaccinate 2835658 children in 13 districts of the state a massive Measles Rubella (RC) vaccination campaign was launched in Uttarakhand on October 30.
Under the campaign children aged between 9 months to 15 years were given a single shot of Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine. Now the MR vaccine will become a part of routine immunization and will replace measles vaccine, currently given at 9-12 months and 16-24 months of age of child.
The MR campaign marks the introduction of the rubella vaccine in India’s childhood immunization programme for the first time.
Rubella, which is commonly referred to as German measles is a mild infection, but can have serious consequences if it occurs in pregnant women. The new MR vaccine also protects against measles, a major killer of small children. Measles is highly contagious and spreads through coughing. India accounts for 36 percent of the measles death globally. Those who survive are more vulnerable to its complications such as diarrhea and pneumonia.