A Cause for Concern
A new study has revealed a concerning gap in measles vaccination coverage in India, with nearly 12% of eligible children receiving none of the recommended double-dose. This finding highlights the need for tailored strategies to address the issue, particularly in districts with significant variations in vaccination rates.
Zero-dose cases were high in the northeastern states, with Nagaland reporting the highest share at 26%. Tamil Nadu reported the lowest at 4.6%.
Close to 30% of eligible children received only one measles-containing vaccine (MCV1), while about 60% were fully immunized (MCV2).
Significant inter-district variations were observed. In Uttar Pradesh, Prayagraj and Banda districts had about 34% and 32% of zero-dose cases, respectively, while Hapur and Etawah had only 2.6% and 2.1%.
Socio-demographic factors influenced vaccination status, with children born later in the family and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds being less likely to be vaccinated.
The researchers emphasized the need for tailored strategies to address the issue, particularly in districts with close to 10% variability in zero-dose cases. They also highlighted the importance of last-mile efforts and frequent vaccination campaigns to achieve the target of 95% vaccine coverage for population-level immunity.
The study's findings underscore the importance of addressing the measles vaccination gap in India to prevent outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations. By implementing targeted interventions and addressing the underlying socio-economic factors, India can move closer to achieving its goal of measles elimination.