Special vaccination drive for measles to be in 2 phases across Maharashtra

Mumbai: A special vaccination drive for measles will be carried out in two phases across Maharashtra, the state measles task force has announced. The vaccination campaign will be conducted in two phases-the first phase will be carried out from December 15 to 25, while the second phase will be between January 15 to 25.

According to recommendations of the public health minister Tanaji Sawant, districts have been told to administer an additional dose to all children aged nine months to five years who have missed a single dose of the measles-rubella vaccine. The two doses will be given at an interval of four weeks.

In a video conference, public health minister Sawant told all divisional commissioners, collectors, municipal commissioners, chief executive officers, zilla parishads to prepare the list of children who have missed the measles vaccine ahead of the drive. The number of suspected measles cases in the state has increased to more than 13500, while confirmed cases have risen to 859. Mumbai's suspected cases have gone up to 4658, while confirmed cases have touched 420. As of Tuesday, 95 children were in hospitals, of which one was critical. A total of 14 deaths have been reported, of which three are under review and another three are from outside Mumbai.