Govt working towards eradication of Measles by 2020

Mission Measels Elimination: Improved vaccination campaigns are on the agenda of the government.

The government is working towards eliminating measles by 2020 along with other South East Asian Regional countries of the World Health Organization.

As per ministry of health, the two doses of measles vaccine have been introduced in the Universal Immunization Program (UIP) in the year 2010-11. In 14 states or Union Territories where the evaluated coverage for measles was less than 80 percent, introduction of two doses of measles vaccine under UIP was preceded by a mass measles vaccination campaign covering children in the age group of 9 months to 10 years. 118 lakh children were vaccinated during these campaigns.

Laboratory supported measles surveillance has started in the country which is based on the polio surveillance model.