India has vaccinated over 348 million children between 2017 and March 2023 through nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign. Measles cases dropped by 62% between 2017 and 2021, from 10.4 to 4 cases per million population, while rubella cases decreased by 48%, from 2.3 to 1.2 cases per million population.
As India moves towards last mile coverage for MR elimination, catch-up campaigns are being undertaken across the country. In a series of MR campaigns across targeted districts in the states of West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Mumbai in Maharashtra, over 30 million children were vaccinated with the measles and rubella vaccine from November 2022 to May 2023.
Around 10 million children were successfully vaccinated over a span of 10-days during the MR vaccination campaign in West Bengal launched on 9 January 2023. The state went on to vaccinate 22 million children between the ages nine months and 15 years -- nearly 212 130 vaccination sessions were conducted, of which 121 423 were held across 106 331 schools. Additionally, 99% blocks (planning units) and 3.1 lakh households were monitored during this campaign for quality assessment and to check whether children have received vaccination.
Delhi has vaccinated 1.1 million children between nine months to five years during the state campaign launched in January 2023.
Haryana vaccinated 400 000 children between the age group nine months and 15 years, through its MR vaccination campaign in February 2023 across two districts – Mewat and Palwal. Rajasthan successfully vaccinated 500 000 children between the ages of nine months and 10 years, with vaccination sessions being conducted in two districts – Alwar and Bharatpur in March 2023.
Jharkhand launched the vaccination campaign on 12 April 2023, providing an additional single dose of the vaccine to children between the ages of nine months and 15 years, specifically targeting nine districts – Deoghar, Dhanbad, Dumka, Giridih, Godda, Jamtara, Koderma, Pakur, and Sahibganj. A total of 4.5 million children were vaccinated in the state.
Starting November 2022 to May 2023, 700 000 children between nine months and five years received the MR vaccine during outbreaks, including in Mumbai, as part of Outbreak Response Immunization (ORI). Additionally, 600 000 children in the same age groups were vaccinated during special immunization sessions in outbreak-adjoining areas across India.
A WHO Surveillance Medical Officer (SMO) during a house-to-house visit alongside the Hooghly river in West Bengal. (Photo: Pitam Chattopadhyaya)
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, which can cause respiratory complications. It is especially dangerous for young children and a leading cause of death. Rubella causes birth defects. The good news is that both measles and rubella can be prevented through vaccination.
India is targeting a vaccination coverage of 95% with two doses of MR vaccine to achieve measles and rubella elimination by 2023. Measures that have strengthened India’s MR elimination strategy include the development and implementation of the National Strategic Plan for MR elimination; introduction of rubella-containing vaccine into the routine immunization programme; launching a nationwide MR supplementary immunization catch-up campaign; transitioning from outbreak-based surveillance to case-based acute fever and rash surveillance; expansion of MR Laboratory network to 27 labs across the country and implementation of the Roadmap plan for MR Elimination across the country.
India is conducting three rounds of Intensified Mission Indradhanush 5.0 (IMI 5.0) under the theme “A big leap towards measles and Rubella Elimination” – with an objective to identify and vaccinate all unvaccinated and under vaccinated children till five years of age, from 7 August 2023.
WHO India’s National Public Health Support Network (NPSN) supports the Indian government in establishing, sustaining, and strengthening MR surveillance; immunization; outbreak identification; public health response; and laboratory network.