Measles is a serious infectious disease in children, the cases of which are once again seen increasing rapidly globally. Many countries have controlled this infectious disease by promoting vaccination, although its global threat is seen increasing once again. In India too, a surge has been recorded in the number of children affected by measles.
Reports show that during the Corona epidemic, a large number of children were not vaccinated, due to which measles disease is once again making children its victims.
Health experts say that it is important to vaccinate all children for measles, it can help reduce the risk of many serious diseases other than measles in the future. Measles Vaccination Day is celebrated every year on 16 March to make people aware of measles disease and how it can be prevented through vaccination.
There is no specific treatment for measles, but vaccination can play an important role in preventing this disease and reducing the risk of serious diseases.
Children are becoming victims of measles in India
Measles is an infectious disease primarily occurring in children, which can lead to serious health complications. India has significantly reduced the risks of this disease by promoting vaccination in the last one or two decades. However, in recent reports, there have been reports of the death of two children and the infection of more than 15 people due to measles in the Maihar district of Madhya Pradesh.
Measles cases in India declined by 62% between 2017 and 2021, from 10.4 to 4 cases per million population. However, the national vaccination campaign was also impacted during the pandemic with a large number of children missing out on the measles vaccine. Therefore, increasing cases of measles among children have been reported from many parts of the country in the past few days.
MMR vaccine vaccination
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is part of the routine vaccination of children. Health experts say children should be given two doses of MMR vaccine. The first dose should be given at the age of 12 to 15 months and the second dose should be given at the age of 4 to 6 years. Teens and adults should also stay up to date about their MMR vaccination.
Vaccinations in childhood can help protect them from serious diseases in the future.
How effective are the vaccines?
Researchers say MMR vaccines are very safe and effective. Two doses of the vaccine are about 97% effective in preventing measles, while one dose can provide up to 93% protection. Before the measles vaccination program began in 1963, an estimated 3 to 4 million (30–40 lakh) people in the United States got measles each year. Of these, about 400 to 500 died. After the measles vaccination, there has been improvement in this direction to a great extent.
What is the advice of doctors?
Health experts say that the coronavirus epidemic has affected the measles vaccination to a great extent, however, now all the parents need to meet the doctor and get the vaccination of the children who have been left out. Apart from this, it is necessary to get regular vaccinations for all recently born children. Vaccines given in childhood can help protect children from many serious diseases in the future.
(PC: iStock)
