Measles eradication programme launched

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 4

The Health Department is launching measles eradication programme on the lines of polio eradication. India has given a deadline of 2020 to the World Health Organisation for measles eradication and three rounds have already been completed in the country and in the fourth round, Punjab will be covered.

Under this programme, a special drive will be started from April in the district under which the children in the age of nine months to 15 years will be immunised.

Currently, the vaccine of Measles is administered to the kids during the routine vaccination programme but after the special drive is conducted, the vaccine which will be administered to the kids will be Measles-Rubella.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Surabhi Malik headed a meeting of all District Senior Medical Officers and Block Nodal Officers (Immunization) today in which representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations also took part.

Around 18 lakh children would be administrated this vaccine in the district. He said this immunisation program is very important as it aims to reduce infant mortality as measles is one of the leading killing diseases among the children .

What is measles?

Measles is a viral infection of the respiratory system. It is a contagious disease that can spread through contact with infected mucus and saliva. Infection can be released into the air through cough and cold.