MR vaccine drive kickstarts in capital

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination drive, aimed at eliminating measles and controlling rubella by 2020, was kickstarted in the district on Tuesday. The drive is part of the nation-wide campaign. Launching the drive at the Attingal Government Girls High School, district panchayat president V K Madhu said all the children in the district should become a model for others by taking the vaccine.

The vaccine should be compulsorily administered so that no one dies of measles and no child gets congenital abnormalities in the future. He also asked the parents to administer the vaccine to their children to avoid health issues in the future.  

At the launch of the vaccine drive, vice-president Shylaja Beegam spoke on the importance of administering the vaccine. SAT superintendent Dr Santosh delivered the message on MR vaccine. Attingal municipal chairman M Pradeep, district RCH officer Dr Prasanna Kumari, district Social Justice officer N Rajan, school principal Shafi M M and headmistress Anila Rani, and deputy DMO Dr Sukesh were present. 

The Health Department, in association with the Education Department, is conducting the one-and-a-half-month-long campaign. Around 75 lakh children will be administered the vaccine in the state. One dose of MR vaccine will be given to all children from nine months to 15 years, regardless of their previous vaccination status.