• The MR campaign will protect children and eliminate transmission of measles and rubella by vaccinating 100% target children
  • Keep in mind
  • What are measles and rubella?
  • •Measles and rubella are highly contagious viral diseases that are spread by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing
  • Measles
  • •Infection with measles is followed by high fever, rash that spreads over the body, cough, running nose and red watery eyes
  • •Measles weakens the immune system. It often leads to serious complications, including blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhoea and respiratory infections such as pneumonia
  • •Most measles-related deaths are caused by complications associated with the disease
  • •One-third of all measles-related deaths worldwide occur in India
  • Rubella
  • •Rubella is a mild viral infection that occurs most often in children and young adults
  • •Rubella infection is followed by rashes and low fever. It may be associated with swelling of lymph node and joint pain
  • •Rubella infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth and multiple birth defects in the newborn, like blindness, deafness, heart defects, known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome
  • (CRS)
  • •India accounts for one-third of all children born worldwide with CRS
  • How can I protect my child from measles and rubella?
  • •Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine is given for preventing both
  • •No specific treatment is available for measles and rubella, but these diseases can easily be prevented through vaccination
  • When should I give my child
  • MR vaccine?
  • •MR vaccine is administered when the child is aged 9-12 months and again at 16-24 months of age
  • •The government is providing MR vaccine free of cost through its immunisation programme
  • Why is the MR vaccination campaign being conducted?
  • •The purpose of the measles-rubella campaign is to protect children and eliminate transmission of measles and rubella by vaccinating 100% target children
  • •It is a special campaign to vaccinate all children aged between nine months and 15 years with one additional dose of MR vaccine
  • •This extra dose will boost the immunity of the child and protect the community by eliminating transmission of measles and rubella
  • •A similar campaign was a major factor in achieving measles elimination in the Western Hemisphere in 2002
  • How is the MR vaccine administered during the campaign and routine immunisation sessions?
  • •The MR vaccine is diluted and administered by subcutaneous injection on the arm of the child
  • •A new auto-disable syringe with needle is used for each child. The syringe and needle are destroyed after single use and a fresh one is used for the next child
  • SOURCE: World Health Organization, India