Measles, rubella totally preventable: Expert

Ludhiana, February 24

A workshop on measles and rubella was organised for ANM and ASHA workers at the Khanna Civil Hospital today. Senior Medical Officer Dr Rajinder Gulati said, “Both measles and rubella are preventable. To eliminate measles and rubella, children are vaccinated with two doses of measles and rubella-containing vaccine. A strong measles and rubella surveillance system is able to detect, investigate and respond to every suspected case.”

Dr Gulati said, “If a child from 16 months to 5 years of age has not been administered MR vaccine, he/she should be given the first dose immediately and the second dose after one month.”

Dr Amita Arora said any person with fever and maculopapular rash, including non-vesicular and cough, coryza or conjunctivitis is suspected to be suffering from measles should be immediately reported to the medical officer concerned by the field health worker. TNS