Measles Outbreak Leads to Mission: Vaccination

Mumbai has reportedly seen a measles outbreak. Since the outbreak began last year, the city has recorded 600 confirmed cases with more than 5,580 suspected cases, and 21 deaths. According to the Brihanmumbai Corporation (BMC) reports, eight city hospitals are currently treating measles patients.

A staff from the Kasturba Hospital, Vinayak Hande said, “61 suspected patients were admitted after the outbreak and 12 new cases of measles were reported in January this year.” A pediatrician of the same hospital, Tanya Kamble said, “ Due to the increased vulnerability of this viral disease, which primarily affects children, the Indian Intimidation Schedule administrators measles and rubella vaccine at nine months, followed by another dose at 15 months. Additionally, we queue for another vaccine at the age of five.” She further said, “Given the numbers that are increasing in some particular areas with more children affected between the ages of six to nine months where the percentage is greater than 10, we should be providing an additional dose known as a zero dose.”

The state has formed a measles task force to plan a vaccination drive in the city. Mobile teams have also been dispatched to provide immunizations to kids who were not a part of the vaccination program. To stop more outbreaks, the concerned health authorities would be conducting microplanning at the ward level to ensure every child is immunized.

The BMC has also been conducting zero-dose drives for infants in wards where there have been more measles cases reported. A BMC official, Shailendra Suresh said, “33 health sites have been established to give children immunizations. In addition, we conduct house-to-house monitoring and offer vaccinations. Also, teams have been set up to immunize kids at construction and nomadic sites.” Furthermore, he said that by the end of February, they hope to have 95% of the population immunized.