We are deeply alarmed that a high number of children continue to be affected by the measles outbreak in the country, despite immunisation efforts. The persistence points to dangerous gaps in the inoculation coverage and overall response, which is unacceptable and shows administrative inadequacies that have allowed a preventable disease to continue claiming young lives. According to a report by this daily, in the 24 hours up to 8:00 am on Tuesday, at least 1,218 people were hospitalised with measles or measles-like symptoms, the highest since May 21. At the same time, at least four people died from measles-like symptoms as of Tuesday, bringing the country’s total measles deaths to 797 people.
The government launched a nationwide emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign on April 5 targeting some 1.80 crore children aged six to 59 months. By the initial deadline of May 20, the authorities claimed to have exceeded their target by an additional four lakh people. However, according to the capital’s DNCC Dedicated Covid-19 Hospital, as much as 80 to 90 percent of the admitted patients are reportedly unvaccinated. Additionally, some 2.23 crore children in the same age group as those under the emergency measles vaccination drive received vitamin A capsules during the nationwide campaign on June 28. This shows a concerning coverage gap of 38.83 lakh children, suggesting that a large number of eligible children were never brought under the emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign. While we appreciate the health minister admitting that the measles vaccination target was wrong, we demand further investigation into the matter. A comprehensive review must also take place, examining what fell short in the emergency campaign and taking necessary measures to ensure no more lives are needlessly lost.
The experts have identified several reasons why transmissions persist. For instance, at least 24 percent of reported measles cases are among infants younger than six months and a significant portion of infections are occurring among children older than five years—both outside the target of the inoculation drive. The government’s failure to properly communicate the revised vaccination schedule—which expanded the lower age limit from nine months to six months and the upper age limit from 15 months to 59 months—is also among the contributing factors to the persistent measles cases. We, therefore, urge the government to chart an emergency roadmap to contain the disease based on expert consultations. Measures should be taken to identify the children the campaign could not reach and ensure their immunisation, strengthen surveillance, and improve public awareness.
