Statewide Measles Rubella vaccination campaign to launch on March 26

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, March 20, 2018: A media sensitization workshop on Measles Rubella vaccination campaign was held today Classic Hotel, Imphal, which will be launched statewide on March 26.

The workshop elaborated on role of media over the deadly diseases of measles and Rubella.

Vaccination will be run at all schools, across communities, at government hospitals and health centres and will be free of cost and will go on for five weeks.

This vaccine is to be administered as a single shot to children in the age group of nine months to less than 15 years. Children in this age group are most vulnerable to these diseases, said director of health services, Dr. K. Rajo Singh.

He said immunisation is one of the most effective and cost effective ways to protect children’s lives and future.

The schedule for vaccination in hill areas may be changed because of religious Passion week programme of the Christians, said state immunisation officer, Dr. Nandakishwor Singh.

The target of the state is around eight lakh children, he added.

The vaccination is safe and has no side effects, said Representative of WHO, Dr. Pranay Dutta.

The workshop was organised by ministry of health and family welfare in association with UNICEF, WHO and immunisation technical unit key development partners.

Communication officer (media) UNICEF, Tahseen Alam also gave presentation on the role of media for MR campaign.

Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by measles virus with symptoms ranging from dry cough, runny nose, diarrhoea, headache, fever and a red, blotchy skin rash. The symptoms do not appear until 10-14 days after exposure.

Rubella is related with measles and not realised that they are infected. Symptoms include enlarged neck lymph nodes, eye redness, headache, red rashes or runny nose. This disease is mild for most people but can cause death or birth defects in unborn babies