In Pics: Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign

KATHMANDU: The immunization campaign against measles and rubella has begun today.

The government has set a goal of vaccinating 57,42,993 youngsters during the campaign.

The immunization arm of the health service department will deploy approximately 10,000 people for this campaign.

The initiative, which runs from now until Chaith 7 (March 20), intends to vaccinate 57,42,993 youngsters. The measles-rubella vaccination is separated into two kinds.

The administration has previously administered the vaccine in the earthquake-affected areas of Jajarkot and Rukum West.

Children will be vaccinated in 24 districts, including 21 in Terai and three in Kathmandu valley, as part of the program, which begins today.

These include Jhapa, Morang Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Chitwan, Nawalpur, Parasi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur.

As the risk of measles is high in these districts, children up to 15 years of age are being vaccinated.

Dr. Abhiyan Gautam, head of the vaccination branch, said that in a survey conducted during the COVID period, it was found that children under 15 years of age in those districts had low resistance to disease.

Additionally, vaccination will be administered to children aged 9 to 15 months in other districts, as outlined by the vaccination branch.

The government has allocated 48,798 vaccination centers for the month-long campaign. Dr. Gautam said that in 24 districts that are at high risk, vaccination will be given from schools.

In remaining districts, vaccination centers are designated at regular vaccination sites and locations near settlements.

Although two vaccinations have been given as part of the routine vaccination, the government has requested to give mandatory measles-rubella vaccination during the campaign. The government’s goal is to eradicate measles-rubella from Nepal by 2026.

Last year, 1,349 people were infected and one person died due to the spread of measles in 21 districts.

Dr. Gautam says that this infection can spread from one person to 18 people. If measles-rubella infection occurs during pregnancy, there is a risk of disability, heart problems and even death of the baby. Measles can cause disability and death even in childhood.

Since there is no definite drug treatment for it, vaccination is the only way to prevent infection, said Dr. Gautam.