India received the ‘Measles and Rubella Champion’ award in recognition of the country’s exemplary efforts in measles and rubella disease prevention. The award was given to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India, by The Measles and Rubella Partnership at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington DC, USA, in March 2024. The Measles and Rubella Partnership is a multi-agency planning committee including the American Red Cross, UNICEF, WHO, BMGF (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and UNF (University of North Florida).
Earlier, India had set a target to eliminate measles and rubella by 2020. Later on, the deadline was moved to 2023. India put in unwavering efforts to achieve the target. From 2010–13, an immunisation programme was conducted for children aged between 9 months and 10 years, which covered around 1.19 crore children. In 2014, Mission Indradhanush was launched to improve the vaccination process, with the measles and rubella vaccine included under it.
From 2017–21, a strategic plan was adopted to eliminate measles and rubella. There were campaigns undertaken across the country, especially in targeted areas of Delhi, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Mumbai. Each of these states undertook huge vaccination programmes and vaccinated around 30 million children in seven months.
Consequently, measles cases dropped by 62 per cent (from 10.4 to 4 cases per million population) and rubella cases decreased by 48 per cent (from 2.3 to 1.2 cases per million population), according to the WHO. Thus, India vaccinated around 3.48 crore children between 2017–23.
About Measles and Rubella
Measles is a viral disease that is highly contagious. It is one of the major causes of death among children despite the existence of vaccines globally, according to the WHO. Measles spreads through the respiratory route from infected persons. The symptoms usually appear after 10–12 days of infection including high fever and rashes. There is no specific treatment for it but there is a vaccine. The symptoms of measles subside within 2–3 weeks, but can cause various other complications like ear infection, blindness, diarrhoea, pneumonia, and even death.
Rubella, also known as German measles, is also a contagious viral infection that occurs mostly in young adults. The WHO terms it one of the leading causes of birth defects. It is also an airborne disease transferred through the respiratory route. It is comparatively less severe than measles. However, in pregnant women, rubella may cause death or birth defects called rubella syndrome. The incidences of its occurrence are higher in temperate regions, especially in winters.
Given the 2023 target, India undertook a proactive approach to vaccination programmes and organised large-scale vaccination drives. The results of these efforts were showcased in the form of the absence of measles cases in about 50 districts, and unreported rubella cases in 226 districts over a period of one year. Effective public awareness initiatives, surveillance systems, and innovative strategies towards measles and rubella vaccination helped India achieve this award.
As of 2021, Bhutan, the Maldives, the Democratic Republic of Korea, and Timor-Leste have been declared measles- and rubella-free nations.
Conclusion
To conclude, this award celebrates India’s commitment to public health, particularly in curbing the spread of measles and rubella among children. India has demonstrated remarkable progress in this direction despite numerous challenges. Thus, the award is also a testament to the dedication of country’s frontline health workers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and communities from across the country.
With continuous efforts and awareness, India can soon eradicate measles and rubella completely. This award is a step towards encouraging such efforts and an important incentive for the organisations working towards achieving the goal. And last but not the least, it is also a reminder to India to put more efforts to reach the goal!
© Spectrum Books Pvt. Ltd.
