A recent study has brought attention to a significant gap in measles vaccination coverage among children in India, with almost 12% of eligible children not receiving any of the recommended double-dose vaccinations. The research conducted by experts from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Banaras Hindu University focused on critical aspects of measles vaccination, examining zero-dose cases, partially vaccinated children, and those who are fully immunized.
The findings indicated that the northeastern states, particularly Nagaland, have a high share of zero-dose cases, with as much as 26% of eligible children in Nagaland reported to have received no dose of the measles vaccination. In contrast, Tamil Nadu had the lowest percentage of zero-dose cases at 4.6%. The researchers utilized data from the National Family Health Survey 2019-21 (NFHS-5) to analyze the vaccination status of over 43,000 children aged 2-3 years, shedding light on challenges and disparities in measles immunization across different regions and socio-demographic groups.
The study emphasized that nearly 30% of eligible children in India had only received one measles-containing vaccine (MCV1), while around 60% were fully immunized with MCV2. Factors such as disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic were recognized as heightening the risk of measles outbreaks among vulnerable populations. Analyzing inter-district variations, the researchers noted significant differences in zero-dose cases, with some districts in Uttar Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh showing varying levels of vaccination coverage. Socioeconomic factors, birth order within the family, levels of wealth, and maternal education were identified as influencing the likelihood of children not receiving any dose of the vaccination.