After the successful immunization program against polio, Indian government is on unprecedented path of immunization program aimed at complete elimination of measles and rubella by 2026. As far as these highly contagious diseases are concerned, they have been cause of major illness in small children. Although, immunization program have been able to prevent its spread in most of the cases. But now, government has taken a strong stand to eliminate them completely by 2026.
Leading this ambitious initiative is Union
Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda has recently launched the Measles-Rubella
(MR) Elimination Campaign 2025–26 — a huge goal in India’s
journey toward a healthier future for every child.
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Nationwide Call: The MR Elimination Campaign 2025–26
This
campaign is not just another health initiative. It’s a national mission
that aims for 100% immunization coverage of children across
all states and union territories.
Under this Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), every child would receive 2 doses of the MR vaccine — free of cost — at:
- 9 to 12 months, and
- 16 to 24 months of age.
To reach
deep into communities and general public, the government has launched IEC
(Information, Education, and Communication) objects — posters, radio jingles, awareness films —
in multiple Indian languages.to ensure that no child is missed.
Why This
Mission Matters
Measles
and Rubella may sound like "childhood illness," but they are quite dangerous and
potentially deadly.
·
Measles may lead to high fever, pneumonia, brain
swelling, and even death.
·
Rubella, if acquired during pregnancy, can cause
serious birth defects or miscarriage.
The MR
vaccine is a simple, proven tool that provides lifelong
protection. And yet, some children still miss out — often those
in rural or underserved areas.
J P
Nadda was quoted as saying “Not even a single child should be left behind— no
matter how remote.
The Progress So Far: Signs of Hope
India's
efforts are already showing results:
·
Measles cases down by 73%, Rubella cases down by 17%
in 2024 compared to 2023.
·
332 districts have reported zero measles cases.
·
487 districts have reported zero rubella cases
(Jan–Mar
2025).
·
MR
vaccine coverage stands at 93.7% (first dose) and 92.2%
(second dose).
This
progress hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2024, India received the prestigious Measles
and Rubella Champion Award — a global recognition of its
tireless public health work.
How India Is
Making It Happen
The
roadmap to eliminating measles and rubella is clear and focused:
✅
1. High Vaccine Coverage
The
goal: Over 95%
vaccination coverage in every district.
✅
2. Strong Disease Surveillance
Through
systems like the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP),
outbreaks are quickly detected and contained.
✅
3. Reaching the Unreachable
Special
focus is being given to slums, migrant
communities, and remote tribal villages — the
areas where immunization coverage still lags.
✅
4. U-WIN Digital Platform
India is
also going digital. The U-WIN platform helps track
vaccinations, issue digital certificates, and manage appointments — bringing
transparency and efficiency to the system.
✅
5. Mass Awareness through Jan Bhagidari
This
isn’t just a government initiative. Ministers, local leaders, community
workers, and citizens are being urged to participate actively —
because awareness leads to action.
Everyone Has a Role to Play
The
fight against measles and rubella can’t be won by government officials alone.
It needs parents,
teachers, doctors, ASHA workers, and you.
Here’s
how you can help:
·
Ensure your children are vaccinated on time.
·
Educate others in your community.
·
Dispel vaccine myths and misinformation.
·
Encourage outreach efforts in underserved areas.
“ACT NOW,” said the Health Minister. “Today’s
effort will protect our future generations.”
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Global Example of What’s Possible
India’s
journey toward MR elimination mirrors its earlier triumph over polio
and maternal-neonatal
tetanus. The country runs the world’s largest
immunization programme, reaching:
·
2.9 crore pregnant women, and
·
2.6 crore newborns every year,
protecting
them from 12
deadly diseases including hepatitis B, diphtheria, rotavirus,
and now, MR.
With strong
political will, digital innovation, and mass
community participation, India is proving that health equity is
not a dream — it’s a goal we can achieve together.
Final Word: Let’s Make
India MR-Free by 2026
India
has done it before — and we can do it again. Let’s rally behind this mission
and ensure that no child suffers or dies from a vaccine-preventable disease.
Because after Polio, it’s time to make Measles and Rubella
history.
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