J&K: Measles-Rubella vaccine given to over 27 lakh children
Over 27.85 lakh children were given the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine during an ongoing vaccination campaign across Jammu and Kashmir, an official spokesman said today. The campaign was launched on September 24 to cover nearly 38 lakh children in the age group of nine months to 15 years to eliminate the congenital rubella syndrome, caused by the rubella virus. Here are more details.
The vaccination campaign will conclude by November end
"A total of 37,72,960 children will be covered, of whom 27,85,731 have been vaccinated with 17,00,994 children covered in Kashmir and 10,84,737 in Jammu," the spokesman said. The campaign is expected to be concluded by this month's end, as against the previous deadline of October-20. The measles-rubella campaign marks the introduction of the rubella vaccine in India's childhood immunization program for the first time.
Kathua, Leh and Kargil districts have already achieved 100% targets
Principal Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo reviewed the progress of the campaign and asked health authorities to build up awareness on a big scale in schools and outreach areas, where stiff resistance has come up. Kathua, Leh and Kargil districts have already achieved 100% targets, while Samba (Jammu), Budgam and Kulgam (Kashmir) were on the verge of achieving their targets, said officials.
37% of global deaths due to measles is in India
India's latest MR vaccine protects against measles, a major killer of small children. Highly contagious, it spreads through contact. Nearly 37% of the global burden of deaths due to measles is in India, mainly due to complications such as diarrhea and pneumonia. Meanwhile, Rubella, commonly known as German measles, is a mild infection but can have serious consequences if it occurs in pregnant women.
