Union Minister of health and family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, truly released the national 0 Measles-Rubella (MR) removal marketing campaign 2025–26 on Thursday, marking the start of global Immunization Week (April 24–30). This foremost public health initiative underscores India’s commitment to getting rid of Measles and Rubella by way of 2026.

To help the campaign, the Union fitness Minister unveiled multilingual facts, schooling and conversation (IEC) materials, along with posters, radio jingles, MR consciousness content, and the respectable U-WIN release movie. Those substances were allotted to all States and Union Territories for version and implementation for the duration of the campaign period.

Speaking on the release, JP Nadda referred to the event as a “momentous occasion,” emphasizing that the marketing campaign goals to obtain a 100% immunization coverage and enhance kid’s pleasant lifestyles via the administration of MR vaccine doses.

Highlighting the exceedingly contagious nature of Measles and Rubella, he harassed the want to ensure that no infant is left unvaccinated. The fitness Minister also celebrated India’s recognition with the prestigious Measles and Rubella Champion Award in 2024, offered with the aid of the Measles and Rubella Partnership.

Sharing current progress, Nadda mentioned that among January and March 2025, 332 districts suggested 0 measles instances and 487 districts said zero rubella instances, reflecting huge strides towards ailment elimination.

He known as on States and united states to adopt an “ACT NOW” approach, urging them to live alert, proactive, and completely engaged. He advocated local leaders, consisting of MLAs, MPs, and panchayat representatives, to raise public awareness approximately the importance of MR vaccination. He additionally referred to as on frontline medical experts to prioritize difficult-to-reach populations consisting of those in far flung regions, urban slums, and migratory groups to ensure well-known coverage.

“If we start operating nowadays, we can succeed the next day,” Nadda said, underlining the importance of pass-ministerial coordination and lively public participation.Measles and Rubella are highly infectious viral illnesses that may result in excessive contamination, permanent disabilities, and demise. To counter their spread, India has committed to disposing of both diseases by 2026.

Beneath the familiar Immunisation Programme (UIP), the MR vaccine is supplied free of charge in two doses: the primary at nine–365 days of age and the second at 16–24 months. In line with 2024–25 HMIS statistics, insurance for the primary dose presently stands at ninety 3.7%, and 92.2% for the second dose.

India has visible extraordinary development: a 73% decline in Measles cases and a 17% discount in Rubella instances in 2024 compared to the preceding year. In recognition of its efforts, India received the Measles and Rubella Champion Award at the Yankee Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on March 6, 2024.

The UIP, the sector’s largest immunisation programme, serves 2.9 crore pregnant ladies and a couple of.6 crore newborns each year, protecting them from 12 vaccine-preventable illnesses, consisting of Polio, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Rotavirus diarrhoea, and Hepatitis B.The currently launched U-WIN virtual platform is being used notably to record vaccinations, generate certificates, and schedule appointments, improving accessibility and efficiency throughout the united states of america.

Because of these enduring efforts, India has made huge strides in child fitness. Between 2014 and 2020, the underneath-5 mortality charge dropped from forty five to 32 in keeping with 1,000 stay births (source: pattern Registration device, 2020). Considering 2014, over six new vaccines, consisting of the MR vaccine, were brought under UIP.

Sources

https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/jp-nadda-launches-national-zero-measles-rubella-elimination-campaign-125042500123_1.html

https://www.newsonair.gov.in/national-campaign-launched-to-eliminate-measles-rubella-by-2026/