134 million Indian children to receive measles vaccination

The Government of India recently launched the second dose of measles vaccination targeting 134 million children to prevent an estimated 60,000 to 100,000 child deaths annually. “Measles is among the world’s most contagious diseases and one of the leading causes of death among children,” said Karin Hulshof, UNICEF India Representative. “The second dose of measles vaccination drive will make sure that children who were not reached will be protected from this deadly disease.” Children, if not vaccinated, are at risk of the disease and its severe health complications such as pneumonia, diarrhea and encephalitis. Globally, an estimated 400 children die from measles every day. Three out of the four children, who died from measles in 2008, were from India. In November 2008, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization, the principal advisory body to World Health Organization, recommended all children should receive two doses of measles vaccination. As part of the Indian national...