The Hindu : `Include measles vaccine in immunisation programme'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 12, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

`Include measles vaccine in immunisation programme'

CHENNAI, JAN. 11. The Serum Institute of India has appealed to the Centre to include measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in the national immunisation programme.

Talking to reporters here yesterday, Mrudula Phadke, paediatrician from Maharashtra, said annually eight lakh children died of measles, majority being in developing countries. Measles could be effectively controlled only when the vaccine coverage touched 95 per cent. "At present, the coverage is below 50 per cent in many States." It also led to tuberculosis. Rubella intrauterine infection in the first trimester would lead to cataract, deafness, heart defects and mental retardation.

A study, carried out to determine the status of mumps vaccination and disease incidence in both the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, revealed that only 53.7 per cent of children received the vaccine. The incidence of mumps was only 7.7 per cent among vaccinated children.

To ensure complete protection against mumps, a second dose of the vaccine could be given. The ideal age of vaccinating the children was five. The World Health Organisation recommended a two-dose strategy. One dose should be given when the child was nine months old and the second between 12 and 15 months. The vaccines were sold at an affordable price, Serum Institute authorities said.

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