Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is contemplating to formulate any scheme to make the country measles free;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of the number of cases of measles reported during the last two years, State-wise;
(d) the necessary steps taken in this regard along with the funds allocated for the same; and
(e) the time by which the country is likely to be declared as measles free?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a) & (b): Government of India introduced measles vaccine across the country in 1985 under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). To further reduce the measles burden, a second dose of measles vaccine was introduced in the country in the year 2010.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has accepted the recommendation of Mission Steering Group for wide age group measles rubella campaign covering children in the age group of 9 month to lessthan 15 years followed by introduction measles rubella vaccine in routine immunization to further reduce morbidity and mortality due to measles and rubella.
(c ): The State-wise details of the number of measles cases reported during the last two years are placed at the Annexure.
(d): The following steps have been taken:
• Government of India introduced second dose of measles vaccine in 2010, to be given at 16-24 months of age of the child.
• Coverage improvement initiatives, like, Mission Indradhanush, are carried out to improved coverage of measles vaccine.
• An India Expert Advisory Group on Measles & Rubella (IEAG-MR) has been established, comprising national and international experts, to provide technical guidance on the disease elimination efforts from time to time.
No separate funds are allocated as measles vaccination is a part of routine immunization activities.
(e): South East Asia Region of World Health Organization has declared elimination of measles and control of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome by 2020 in South East Asia Region countries including India.