Shillong/Reubelpara: The Measles-Rubella Vaccination campaign is scheduled to be conducted in Meghalaya from September 24 onwards. The national level campaign aims to eradicate measles and control rubella/congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) by 2020. To achieve this goal, the campaign will target all children from 9 months to 15 years of age.
Measles is a highly infectious disease which causes childhood morbidity and mortality among children below 5 years of age. Rubella infection, although mild, can lead to foetal death, spontaneous abortion and a set of serious birth defects know as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) if an unimmunized woman is infected during early pregnancy.
Both these diseases can be prevented by highly effective MR vaccination.
The campaign aims to rapidly build up immunity for both measles and rubella by immunizing children with a single dose of MR vaccine and also provides a second opportunity for children left out in routine immunization at the age of 9 months (1st dose) and 16-24 months (2nd dose).
The campaign will be held for a period of 5 weeks and a single dose of the vaccine will be administered to all the target children during the campaign.
Following the campaign, the MR vaccine will replace measles vaccine under routine immunization, given as two doses at the age of 9-12 months and 16-24 months.
Awarenes at
Resubelpara Civil Hospital
A one-day ‘Media Briefing on Measles Rubella Vaccination Campaign’ was organised by the Civil Sergeant’s office at Resubelpara Civil Hospital Conference Hall on Friday which was attended by prominent citizens, school teachers and medical workers.
Senior Medical Officer, Dr R. Devnath, Civil Hospital Resubelpara North Garo Hills said: ”There has been no report of Measles Rubella in the district so far but the diseases can be prevented through vaccination and awareness. Nokmas, community leader, senior leaders and government officers especially in primary school levels will be sensitised on the matter”.
The district round table meeting of medical professionals on measles and rubella is also conducted regularly at different levels such as Community Health Centre, Primary Health centre and village-level health workers.
Dr Wiseline K Marak thanked all participants and said that their mission is to fight the diseases and keep the people healthy.
