Committed to eliminate measles and control rubella/ Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) by 2020, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with States is set to introduce Rubella Vaccine in its Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) as Measles–Rubella (MR) Vaccine.
The vaccine will be introduced as Measles–Rubella Campaign, targeting children from 9 months up to 15 years, in a phased manner, followed by administration of the vaccine in routine immunisation, sources in the State Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
The MR campaign will be conducted within a period of three-four weeks. Vaccination will be conducted in schools during the first two weeks, and later in the community through outreach sessions.
Duration of the campaign will be for four weeks starting from February 8.
Rubella is an infections yet mild viral illness affecting both children and adults that can cause death and disabilities in the newborn if an unprotected pregnant woman gets infected with rubella virus in early pregnancy. Rubella virus has the potential to cause abortions, stillbirths and severe birth defects known as CRS, including deafness and blindness in the newborn child. This may lead to serious lifelong disabilities, which is a huge burden to the family and society.
Nearly 30,000 estimated CRS cases are tested in the country, annually.
