Measles control strategies in India: position paper of Indian Academy of Paediatrics

Tuesday, 5th of November 2013

[source]Indian Paediatrics[|source]

The annual estimated deaths due to measles in India is about 80,000 children accounting for 4% of all under five mortality. The distribution of measles deaths are reported to be heterogeneous and more concentrated in states with the poorest performing immunization programs.  Malnutrition and young age at infection are singled out as major risk factors associated with measles mortality.

In this report, the authors put together all the evidence from the country against the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS) 2006-2015 of the WHO and UNICEF to come up with a position paper for India. Formulated as National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) recommendations for India, are available at http://www.indianpediatrics.net/june2013/561.pdf

Abstract

Measles continues to be a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in India. Recent studies estimate that 80,000 Indian children die each year due to measles and its complications, amounting to 4% of under-5 deaths. Immunization against measles directly contributes to the reduction of under five child mortality and hence to the achievement of Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG 4). The live attenuated measles vaccines are safe, effective and provide long lasting protection. The key strategies being followed globally for measles mortality reduction are high coverage of measles first dose, sensitive laboratory supported surveillance, appropriate case management, and providing second dose of measles vaccine. Prior to 2010, India was the only country in the world that had not introduced a second dose of measles vaccine in its National immunization program. We herein discuss the current status of measles vaccination along with the rationale replicas de relojes and challenges of providing a second opportunity for measles vaccination, and the principles of measles catch-up campaigns.