Article:
India has been on a mission to eradicate Measles and Rubella (MR) by 2023, after failing to meet the previously set deadline of 2020. The reasons behind this delay have been myriad, further confounded by disruptions due to the pandemic. In an attempt to understand this issue better, we delve into what Measles and Rubella are, their global and Indian scenarios, and measures being adopted to combat them.
Measles and Rubella Explained
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus. Dangerous especially for children from economically weaker backgrounds, it can lead to severe complications like blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhoea, ear infection, and pneumonia. Rubella, also known as German Measles, is a contagion that occasionally results in mild viral infections primarily in children and young adults. Pregnant women affected by Rubella may give birth to babies with Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), which is marked by irreversible birth defects.
The Worldwide Scenario and India’s Response
The measles virus is one of the world’s most contagious diseases, claiming more than 100,000 children globally every year. Rubella, on the other hand, leads to vaccine-preventable birth defects. To combat this, India initiated a phased catch-up immunisation for 9 months-10 years old children in 14 states from 2010-2013, vaccinating approximately 119 million kids. Mission Indradhanush was launched in 2014 to accelerate the vaccination of the unvaccinated population. Later, during 2017–2021, India adopted a national strategic plan for measles and rubella elimination and introduced the rubella-containing vaccine (RCV) into the routine immunisation programme.
Curb Measures
Measles-Rubella Vaccination campaign targets around 41 crore children across India. All children aged between 9 months and less than 15 years are given a single shot of MR vaccination irrespective of their previous measles/rubella vaccination status or measles/rubella disease status. The vaccines for the diseases are delivered in the form of measles-rubella (MR), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) combinations.
Government Programs and Interventions
Several other plans such as the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), Mission Indradhanush, and Intensified Mission Indradhanush have been implemented to maximize the reach of immunization. These initiatives not only curb the spread of these diseases but also aim towards their complete eradication.
Importance of Addressing MR-related Issues
Addressing issues related to Measles and Rubella is not merely a health concern; it is an urgent matter of saving millions of lives and preventing birth defects caused by Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). The goal of successful immunization cannot be achieved until the collective efforts from all sections of society are combined with the government’s robust policies and interventions.
Relevant UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions
One of the questions in the Previous Year Questions (PYQs) of the UPSC Civil Services Examination was on the topic of adenoviruses and retroviruses, which helped elucidate the different types of viruses that cause human diseases. In another question, the examination focused on ‘Mission Indradhanush’, a major Indian government initiative aimed at immunizing children and pregnant women against various diseases.
The process of eradicating Measles and Rubella in India remains an ongoing challenge. Addressing it requires comprehensive public health interventions and stringent implementation of immunization schemes on a national level.
