Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 24: On April 24, Union Health Minister J.P.?Nadda inaugurated the National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign 2025–26 via videoconference, coinciding with the first day of World Immunization Week. This initiative accelerates India’s drive to stamp out measles and rubella by 2026 under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).

Two free doses of the MR vaccine—administered at 9–12 months and again at 16–24 months—have propelled India’s coverage to 93.7?percent for the first dose and 92.2?percent for the second (HMIS 2024–25). To bolster community engagement, Nadda released posters, radio jingles, and the official MR elimination film in multiple languages, distributing them nationwide for local adaptation.

“Today heralds a pivotal moment: by achieving 100?percent immunization, we safeguard every child’s future,” Nadda declared, emphasizing the vaccines’ role in preventing the severe consequences of these highly contagious diseases.

Highlighting early successes, he noted that January–March 2025 saw 332 districts report zero measles cases and 487 districts record zero rubella cases—testament to India’s progress toward elimination. He called on states and union territories to maintain vigilant surveillance through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and to emulate the decisive strategies that eradicated polio and maternal–neonatal tetanus.

Nadda urged health officials to launch “ACT?NOW” campaigns, leveraging public meetings and media briefings to ensure no child is missed. He also tasked frontline workers with reaching remote regions, slums, migrant communities, and other high risk areas, insisting that true success lies in leaving “not a single child behind.”