Gandhinagar: The state govt on Thursday announced that it will launch an intensive drive to immunise children against measles and rubella, aiming to eradicate the diseases in the state by 2026.
State health minister Rushikesh Patel and officials from the state health department virtually joined the ‘Measles and Rubella Eradication Campaign 2025-26′, launched from New Delhi by union health minister J P Nadda on Thursday.
As part of the universal immunisation programme in the state, the first dose of the measles and rubella vaccine is given to a child at 9-12 months, and the second dose at 16-24 months to ensure protection. In Gujarat, cases of measles decreased from about 4,000 in 2023 to just 471 in 2024, the govt stated.
The govt statement added that earlier, a strategy for measles and rubella eradication was prepared, and instructions for implementation were given during a meeting chaired by the chief secretary with collectors, municipal commissioners, district development officers, and other officials.
The govt mentioned that regular surveillance by districts and municipal corporations will be intensified, and weekly reviews via video conferencing will be conducted. Additionally, an intensive ‘Mission Indradhanush’ will be conducted from Aug to Oct this year for all unvaccinated children, and special immunisation weeks will be held four times a year.
Under the ‘Khilkhilat’ drive earlier this year, a special campaign was held from Jan 16 to 22, where 25,736 children were vaccinated. During the measles-rubella drive on March 15 and 16, 29,238 children were vaccinated, the statement said.
Gujarat minister Patel stated that vaccination analysis will be conducted at the village level to achieve a 95% target for MR 1 and MR 2 vaccinations in all districts and municipal corporations. He added that as part of the World Immunisation Week, which is being observed from April 24 to 30, special vaccination drives have been planned across the state.