EACH CHILD IN AGE GROUP OF NINE MONTHS TO 15-YEARS TO GET MR VACCINE MANDATORY: DIO DR JASBIR SINGH

LUDHIANA, APRIL 8, 2018: Declaring a war to make Ludhiana Measles and Rubella diseases free district, a massive immunization drive set to start soon which would cover around 12.5 lakh children of the district. Before the campaign takes off, District Immunization Officer Dr Jasbir Singh gives the answers of basic doubts of parents regarding the vaccination to make the drive a major success and each child in the age group of nine months to 15 years can be covered under this campaign. Excerpts are as follows:

What are Measles and Rubella diseases?

Measles and Rubella are highly contagious viral diseases that are spread by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. Infection with Measles is followed by high fever, a rash that spreads over the body, cough, running nose and red watery eyes. Rubella is a mild viral infection that occurs most often in children and young adults. Infection with Rubella is followed by rash and low fever. Rubella infection during pregnancy can cause abortion, stillbirth and may lead to multiple birth defects in the newborn; like blindness, deafness, heart defects; known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).

When should someone give their child Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine?

MR vaccine is given at 9-12 months and 16-24 months of age of the child. The Government is providing Measles-Rubella vaccine free of cost through its immunization program.

Why is MR vaccination campaign being conducted?

The purpose of the MR vaccination campaign is to protect your child and eliminate transmission of Measles and Rubella from the community by vaccinating 100% target children with MR vaccine.

Is MR vaccine safe for the child, especially the one being used in Measles- Rubella campaign?

The Measles-Rubella vaccine is safe. Most children who get MR vaccine do not have any serious problems with it. Side effects, if any, like low fever and mild rash following administration of the vaccine, are mostly mild and transient.

Where and when can any child be vaccinated during the campaign?

All eligible children will be vaccinated at the following session sites: Schools: First 1-2 weeks of the campaign, Health sub-centres, Anganwari centres, fixed outreach sessions and mobile/special posts in villages and urban areas. Then, government health facilities will vaccinate on all days of campaign states would conduct these MR vaccination campaigns in a phased manner.

Does someone’s child need MR vaccination dose even if she/he has had two doses of Measles containing vaccine through her/his routine vaccinations?

Yes, the child needs the additional dose being administered during the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign. The Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign dose is given to all targeted children, irrespective of prior measles-rubella immunization status or disease status.The dose will be administered to all children falling between the age group of 9 months to 15 years of age, irrespective of any past history of disease or vaccination.

If the child has already been vaccinated for Measles and Rubella as per immunization schedule is given by private paediatrician/health centre. Should the child take MR vaccine during the ongoing campaign?

Even those children, who have been vaccinated for measles by their paediatrician or at the health centre, should take the MR vaccine. Both diseases have no cure, but can be prevented by taking the Measles-Rubella vaccine.

If the child has received one dose of Measles-Rubella vaccine during the MR vaccination campaign, should he/she receive the routine dose of Measles and Rubella vaccines?

Yes, the child should receive both routine doses of MR vaccines at 9-12 months and 16-24 months of age, irrespective of any MR vaccination campaign dose in the past.

If the child has a mild fever, should he/she receive MR vaccine during the campaign?

Children with minor illnesses such as mild respiratory infection, diarrhoea, and low-grade fever can be vaccinated.

Who should not be vaccinated?

Do not vaccinate if the child has a high fever or another serious disease (eg: unconscious, convulsions, etc), Hospitalized children, History of a severe allergic reaction to measles/rubella vaccine in the past.

Can vaccination by the additional dose of MR cause any side effects to my child?

The MR vaccine being used in the campaign is completely safe. Like with any other injectable vaccine, there could be a transient mild pain and redness at the injection site, low-grade fever, rash and muscle aches.

Is the Vaccine, given to my child during the campaign, of good quality?

Yes. MR vaccine is a WHO certified vaccine, safe and effective. There is Vaccine Vial Monitor (VVM) on top of each vial which indicates the quality of the vaccine given.