3.4 cr children expected to be covered under 2nd phase of MR

The Union health ministry has rolled out the second phase of measles and rubella (MR) vaccination campaign under which 3.4 crore children are expected to be covered to reduce incidences of these diseases in the country.

Eight states and UTs -- Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana and Uttarakhand -- will be part of this phase, an official statement said.

The first phase of the campaign has started in February 2017 from five states and UTs -- Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Lakshadweep and Puducherry -- and more than 3.3 crore children have been vaccinated, reaching out to 97 per cent of the intended age group, the statement said.

The campaign was carried out in schools, community centers and health facilities.

The government aims to cover 3.4 crore children in the second phase.

The campaign which has been launched phase wise aims to cover approximately 41 crore children.

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

Following the campaign, 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 campaign aims to rapidly build up immunity for both measles and rubella diseases in the community so as to knock out the disease, therefore, all the children should receive MR vaccine during the campaign.

"For those children who have already received such vaccination, the campaign dose would provide additional boost to them," the statement said.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)