Health Ministry launches single vaccine for dual protection against measles and rubella
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- Was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched Measles Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign
- It has been launched in 5 states/UTs – Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Goa and Lakshadweep
- Measles-Rubella vaccine will be introduced in routine immunization. This will replace the two doses currently given measles vaccine (at 9-12 months and 16-24 months of age)
- The MR campaign will target around 41 crore children across the country (it is the largest ever in any campaign)
- In this campaign, all children aged between 9 months and less than 15 years will be given a single shot of Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination
- Measles vaccine is currently provided under Universal Immunization Programme (rubella vaccine will be a new addition)
- After the completion of the campaign, MR vaccine will be part of routine immunization (will replace measles vaccine)
About Measles
- It is caused by virus
- It is highly contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing of an infected person
- It will make a child vulnerable to life threatening complications such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and brain infection
It killed more than 1.3 lakh children globally and more than 49000 children in India
       About Rubella
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- It is a mild infection cause by virus
- It has serious consequences if infection occurs in pregnant women, causing congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), which is a cause of public health concern
- In 2010, more than a lakh children globally were born with CRS
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