HT Correspondent
PASIGHAT, Aug 24: A weeklong Measles Rubella Vaccination Campaign (MRVC) is being conducted in East Siang district, with a special focus on vaccinating left-out and drop-out children from measles and rubella preventable vaccines in Pasighat township areas.
The campaign was formally launched by Dr Yagling Perme, District Medical Officer (DMO), East Siang, at UPHC Baskata.
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The initiative is part of an intensified outreach effort to enhance community health and safeguard children against the resurgence of these preventable diseases.
Under the program, health teams aim to identify children who have missed the Measles Rubella vaccine doses and ensure their vaccination with the required antigens.
During this one-week campaign, from August 21 to 27, a total of 19 vaccination sessions have been scheduled to cover 111 children aged between 9 months and 5 years.
The drive is being supervised and coordinated by the District Health Society, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Sonalika Jiwani, which has resolved to achieve 95% full immunization coverage by December 2025 and reach the 100% coverage mark by March 2026.
These targets are aligned with the Government of India’s National Zero Measles Rubella Elimination Campaign to achieve complete immunization coverage by 2026.
To step up preparations, a meeting of the District Task Force for Immunization (DTFI) cum City Task Force for Immunization (CTFI) was held under the chairmanship of the DMO.
The meeting discussed the target beneficiaries, session planning, and monitoring support to ensure smooth implementation of the MRVC.
The medical officers in-charge of UPHC Banskata and BPGH will oversee the sessions, supervise vaccination work, and ensure daily progress reporting.
In addition, awareness campaigns through district and block coordinators have been planned to strengthen IEC (Information, Education and Communication) activities across the Pasighat municipality area, encouraging parents to come forward with their children.
Highlighting the significance of the campaign, District RCHO Dr Nidak Angu explained that the sustained MRVC initiative is guided by several key objectives.
Firstly, the vaccine provides a powerful shield against measles and rubella, significantly reducing the risk of severe complications and mortality in children.
Secondly, achieving high vaccination coverage is essential for herd immunity, which indirectly protects vulnerable groups such as newborns and children with medical conditions who cannot be vaccinated.
Thirdly, a robust vaccination strategy is pivotal in eliminating outbreaks, thereby easing the burden on the healthcare system and reducing related expenditures.
Dr Angu further emphasized that beyond disease prevention, the campaign plays a crucial role in promoting public health awareness.
By heightening community understanding of the importance of vaccination, the initiative fosters a culture of acceptance and proactive health-seeking behaviour.
Moreover, the campaign also resonates with global health goals by contributing to international efforts toward the total eradication of measles and rubella, ensuring equity in healthcare access and protection for all children.
The MRVC in East Siang has thus emerged not only as a vaccination drive but also as a community-centered initiative to safeguard future generations.
Authorities urged all parents and guardians of Pasighat municipal areas to take full advantage of this opportunity and ensure that no child is left out of the life-saving immunization program.
